December 1, 2010 | Health Matters

World AIDS Day - know your status

In the craziness that is December, with the scampering about for the perfect gift or plans being made to visit friends and family, it is easy to forget that December 1st is World AIDS Day.

Established in 2004, the day is meant to remind us all about the disease that has claimed the lives of countless people around the world. AIDS cases are still on the rise, and in places like India and Africa the numbers are staggering. Treatment exists, but can be costly; and there is no cure.

Surprisingly, even with so much coverage of HIV and AIDS, and with a day set aside to remember the fight that still faces so many of the world's population, there are many who are still ignorant about the disease.

According to CARE: To date almost 65 million people have been infected with HIV, and AIDS has killed more than 25 million people since it was first recognized in 1981. Researchers suspect that the majority of the people living with HIV are unaware of their status. Worldwide, fewer than one person in five at risk of becoming infected with HIV has access to basic prevention services.

Of course, trying to keep money coming in to fund treatment, education and research is not easy. That's why today many celebrities have become "digitally dead" and will remain so until $1-million is raised for Keep a Child Alive. Alicia Keys, the charity's founder, will be joined by Lady Gaga, Kim Kardashian, Justin Timberlake, P. Diddy, Usher, Jennifer Hudson, Elijah Wood, and others in signing off from all social networking platforms including Twitter and Facebook until donations are made.

In the UK, Sir Elton John will be acting Editor for a special World AIDS Day issue of 'The Independent' and its newly launched sister paper, 'i'. All circulation revenues from these one-off editions will go to the Elton John Aids Foundation. 

All men who have sex with men should know their HIV status. Here's an inspiring (if somewhat hymn-like) ditty by Nicholas Snow on the importance of getting tested.

Hopefully, in the near future, we won't need a World AIDS Day. 

Universal access, human rights theme of 22nd World AIDS Day [APP]

Alicia Keys, Kim Kardashian go 'dead' for World AIDS Day [USA Today]

World Aids Day special: Elton John to edit The Independent and i  [The Independent]