World AIDS Day is held on December 1 every year in order to unite people worldwide in the fight against HIV/AIDS by raising awareness, supporting those suffering from HIV/AIDS, and remembering those who have died from the disease. This year’s theme is “Working Together for an AIDS-Free Generation.”
Nearly 1 million people are living with HIV in the United States, and 1 in 5 of those are unaware of their infection. Globally, 33.4 million people are living with HIV/AIDS, and 97% of those reside in developing countries, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. HIV/AIDS continues to be a global issue because many who are at risk for or are living with the disease have little or no access to prevention and care. World AIDS Day seeks to raise awareness about these statistics and issues.
Van Wylen Library has many resources regarding HIV/AIDS. A quick catalog search reveals many recent print books, such as Gerald Stine’s AIDS Update 2012: An Annual Overview of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, and online e-books, such as the United Nations’ UNAIDS Outlook Report 2010, that highlight up to-date-information about attitudes towards the disease and treatment. Alan Whitesail’s HIV/AIDS: A Very Short Introduction would be good for those who are just beginning research on the disease.
Another great resource for HIV/AIDS research is the CQ Global Researcher recent report, “Conquering AIDS,” published in September 2012. The report cites the tremendous improvement in AIDS-related death statistics, which have fallen 10 percent since 2002. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the report is the Next Steps section, which provides articles relating to drug prices, treatments, funding, and vaccinations, giving one a better idea of what’s to come in HIV/AIDS prevention.
If you are interested in joining the fight against AIDS, check out Facing AIDS, the federal government campaign for World AIDS Day where users are encouraged to submit photos and reasons why they are facing AIDS. Or, if you’re into podcasts, this year’s U.S. Conference on AIDS posted highlights on their blog.
–Madalyn Muncy, Library Student Blogger