World AIDS Day 2024: Significance, Theme And Impact Of Awareness Campaigns

World AIDS Day is observed on December 1 every year to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and show solidarity with those affected by the disease. The day serves as a platform for organizations worldwide to unite, remember those who have lost their lives to AIDS-related illnesses, and advocate for continued progress in HIV prevention, treatment, and care. Their awareness campaigns aim to educate the public, reduce stigma around the condition, and call for global action in the ongoing fight against the epidemic.

AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) is the final stage of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection. HIV attacks and destroys CD4 cells, a type of white blood cell that helps the body fight any infection. This makes it harder for the body to fight off infections, illnesses, and certain cancers, eventually leading to death in many cases.

Significance Of World AIDS Day 2024

Raising awareness about HIV/AIDS is more crucial than ever, as the virus remains incurable, but manageable through proper knowledge and treatment. In many rural and underserved regions, there is still a lack of awareness, which contributes to the continued spread of HIV. With advancements in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, people living with HIV can now lead long, healthy lives.

For instance, in India alone, 66,400 new cases were reported in 2023. Globally, 13 lakh people were newly infected in 2023, showing a significant decline of 39% from 2010. Despite these improvements, HIV remains a global health threat, with 6.5 lakh people dying from AIDS-related diseases in 2021.

According to UNAIDS, by the end of 2021, approximately 85% of people living with HIV knew their status, a major milestone in the fight against the virus. At the same time, 75% of HIV patients had access to antiretroviral therapy (ART), a crucial treatment that helps manage the virus and prevent transmission.

However, there is still much work to be done, especially in low- and middle-income countries, where the majority of those affected by HIV live. Education and awareness campaigns continue to play a significant role in expanding access to healthcare and reducing the stigma associated with HIV.

Success Of HIV AIDS Campaign

Since the establishment of the National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) in India, the country has seen a significant decline in AIDS-related deaths, with an 82% reduction in mortality since 2010.

However, new infections have decreased by only 48%, highlighting the need for more education and awareness amongst communities . On a global scale, the impact of awareness campaigns is evident, as new HIV cases have decreased by 32% since 2010, and AIDS-related deaths have dropped by 68% since 2004.

Theme Of World AIDS Day 2024

Theme for World AIDS Day 2024, 'Take the Rights Path,' highlights the critical role of human rights in the fight against HIV/AIDS. It calls for the removal of social and legal barriers that prevent people living with HIV from accessing healthcare, support, and treatment. An estimated 1.3 million people acquired HIV in 2023 while an estimated 39.9 million people were living with HIV globally, as per World Health Organization (WHO). But there is still hope that it will end one day. "The world can end AIDS – if everyone's rights are protected. With human rights at the centre, with communities in the lead, the world can end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030," WHO wrote on its website.