World AIDS Day, observed each year on December 1, is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV, and remember those who have died from an HIV-related illness. Started in 1988, World AIDS Day was the first-ever global health day.
The theme for the 2021 observance is “Putting Ourselves to the Test: Achieving Equity to End HIV”. It encourages people to unite globally to eliminate the disparities and inequities that create barriers to HIV testing, prevention, and access to HIV care.
According to the World Health Organization, there are 38.4 million people living in the world with an HIV diagnosis, the majority of which, 25.6 million, belong to the African continent.
According to statistics, most of the infected in Armenia – about 70%, are men, and more than half of them are young – 25-39 years old. About one-third of patients have reached the final stage of HIV – AIDS.
Nevertheless, in recent years, positive trends have also been registered in the fight against the disease. In particular, due to antiretroviral treatment, HIV infection is now considered a chronic disease, not an incurable one.