World AIDS Day was first observed in 1988 – the first ever global health day – and has taken place on December 1 each year since then. The purpose of its creation was to provide a global occasion for people to unite in the fight against HIV, to increase support for those living with HIV, and to honor those who have died from an AIDS-related illness. (“World AIDS Day,” unaids.org)
Each World AIDS Day focuses on a specific theme, ranging from “A world united against AIDS” in 1988 to “Communities make the difference” in 2019. A robust history of the day’s commemoration and themes for each year can be found on the UNAIDS website. This year’s theme is “Global solidarity, shared responsibility” and it views global health responses through a new lens to guarantee that:
- Health systems are strengthened.
- Access is ensured.
- Human rights are respected.
- The rights of women and girls, and gender equality, are at the centre.
Today, World AIDS Day remains as relevant as it has always been. It is an important reminder to governments and individuals that HIV has not gone away. Around 1.1 million Americans are living with HIV. According to CDC data from 2018, about 44.9% of young people (aged 13-24) who were living with HIV where unaware of their infection.
The U.S. plan to end the AIDS epidemic is built upon four pillars:
- Diagnosing all individuals with HIV as early as possible. Find testing locations.
- Treating people with HIV rapidly and effectively to achieve sustained viral suppression.
- Preventing new HIV transmissions by using proven interventions, including pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and syringe services programs (SSPs). Find out where you can get PrEp, PEP, and condoms here.
- Responding quickly to potential HIV outbreaks to get needed prevention and treatment services to people who need them.
Pomona College proudly educates the most ethnically diverse student body of any elite liberal arts college in the country. Beyond demographic diversity alone, we strive for full inclusion of all the voices represented by our faculty, staff and students. To foreground this commitment to diversity and inclusion, the College has adapted the Know YOUR History programming series to include email content to highlight important historical events that may have previously been excluded from the dominant narrative. To leave a comment, share a story on this topic or suggest new topics, visit the Know Your History feedback form.