World AIDS Day, observed Dec. 1 since 1988, serves as a day to remind the world that HIV/AIDS is still a serious epidemic, and there is still no cure or vaccine for HIV or AIDS. Events were held across the state to commemorate the significance of this day through education, remember those who have died from this disease and increase general awareness of HIV and AIDS.
According to UNAIDS estimates, there are now 33.4 million people living with HIV worldwide, including more than 1 million Americans. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates more than 56,300 Americans are newly infected with HIV annually. One out of every 247 people in Delaware is HIV-positive, making the First State one of the top-10 states in the country for per-capita HIV infection.
The World AIDS Day theme for 2009 was Universal Access and Human Rights. World AIDS Day is important in reminding people that HIV has not gone away, and there is still much to be accomplished. During 2008, approximately 2.7 million people became newly infected with the virus, and an estimated 2 million people died from AIDS. Around half of all people who become infected with HIV do so before they are 25 and are killed by AIDS before they are 35, according to UNAIDS. Approximately 95 percent of individuals with HIV and AIDS live in developing nations.
Every 9.5 minutes another person in the United States becomes infected with HIV.
As of Sept. 30, there were 3,470 Delawareans living with HIV or AIDS. The CDC estimates 20 to 25 percent of all HIV-positive individuals are unaware of their status. According to CDC recommendations, every person age 13 to 64 should be tested for HIV at least once, and people who are at higher risk for infection should be tested annually.
Everyone should receive an HIV test before beginning a sexual relationship with a new partner. In recent years there has been an increasing number of people over the age of 50 who have become infected. This older segment of the population needs to keep themselves educated and protected - just like everyone else.
Source: Delaware HIV Consortium press release
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