More people than ever before are living with HIV worldwide and new infections continue. HIV is a serious long term condition and people with HIV often face discrimination.

According to UNAIDS estimates, there are now 33.2 million people living with HIV, including 2.5 million children. During 2007 some 2.5 million people became newly infected with the virus. 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.

Around 95 percent of people with HIV/AIDS live in developing nations. But HIV today is a threat to men, women and children on all continents around the world.

Started on December 1st, 1988, World AIDS Day is about raising money, increasing awareness, fighting prejudice and improving education. World AIDS Day is important in reminding people that HIV has not gone away, and that there are many things still to be done.

The 1st of December was the day the World Health Organization chose to highlight the importance of keeping an eye on HIV infections and the way they will affect the world. Provided antiretroviral therapy access continues to grow at the current rate, the annual number of deaths due to AIDS is expected to peak at around 2.4 million in 2012, and then to decline to 1.2 million in 2030, the Who projects. Yet even in this scenario, AIDS will remain one of the ten leading causes of death globally.

Therefore, every 1st of December was chosen to remember people they need to take immediate measures in order to prevent more HIV infections. What is there to be done? Well, people need to challenge the myths and misconceptions about human sexuality that translate into dangerous sexual practices.

Work and legislation is needed to reduce prejudice felt by HIV+ people around the world and the discrimination that prevents people from "coming out" as being HIV positive. HIV prevention initiatives need to be increased, people across the world need to be made aware of the dangers, the risks, and the ways they can protect themselves. Condom promotion and supply needs to be increased, and the appropriate sexual health education needs to be provided to young people before they reach an age where they become sexually active. Medication and support needs to be provided to people who are already HIV+, so that they can live longer and more productive lives, support their families, and avoid transmitting the virus onwards. Support and care needs to be provided for those children who have already been orphaned by AIDS, so that they can grow up safely, without experiencing poverty, exploitation, and themselves falling prey to HIV.

The 1st of December is such a day when people should be there for other people more exposed to HIV infections. It’s a day when all the risks are emphasized, when it’s time for you to be more aware of HIV and do something about it. What are you going to do?