World AIDS Day 2022: Know the history, theme and importance of AIDS Day.
Every year on December 1, people around the world celebrate World AIDS Day. It is celebrated to honor AIDS patients and to express support for HIV positive people. The first International Health Day was established in 1988 as World AIDS Day.
Every year, United Nations-affiliated organizations, governments, and civil society organizations join together to promote campaigns that focus on certain topics related to HIV. Hence, it is important to understand the significance of the day and the theme of the year. The day aims to inspire individuals to band together globally to close any gaps and inequities that limit access to HIV testing, prevention and care.
History of World AIDS Day 2022
World AIDS Day was first celebrated in 1987. The day was observed to encourage communication about AIDS and HIV among local and state governments, international organizations, and private citizens. It was developed by James W. Bunn and Thomas Netter, two public information officers for the World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland. The United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has been in charge of planning and promoting it since 1996.
World AIDS Day 2022 Theme
This year the theme of World AIDS Day is “Equalize”, which has been chosen. According to UNAIDS, this means that everyone must act to eliminate the injustices that hinder the effort to end AIDS.
Significance of World AIDS Day 2022
According to WHO, by the end of 2021, there were approximately 38.4 million HIV-positive persons worldwide, of whom 25.6 million live in the African region. More than 4,139 people receive an HIV diagnosis each year in the UK, and for many people living with the disease, it is still common to be discriminated against.
- World AIDS Day is important because it reminds the public and the government that it is a serious problem that urgently needs funding, awareness, eradication of prejudice, and better educational opportunities.
- Ending discrimination for the many people living with the disease AIDS.
- Creating awareness among people about AIDS.
- Motivating people to do HIV test.
