People
around the world Monday will join forces to show their support for
those living with the AIDS virus, as well as those who have died from
the disease, when the 26th World AIDS Day is marked.
An estimated 34 million people are living with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, and more than 35 million have died from the disease.
This year's theme is "Focus, Partner, Achieve: An AIDS-free Generation."
Ahead
of World AIDS Day, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) urged
more investment and access to treatment for children. The group said
that 1.1 million infections among children under 15 have been averted,
but that more needs to be done.
UNICEF said that while all other
age groups have experienced a decline of nearly 40% in AIDS-related
deaths between 2005 and 2013, those ages 10-19 are the only group in
which AIDS-related deaths are not decreasing.
"We must close the
gap, and invest more in reaching every mother, every newborn, every
child and every adolescent with HIV prevention and treatment programs
that can save and improve their lives," UNICEF Executive Director
Anthony Lake said.
In the United States, approximately 1.2 million
people are living with HIV, according to the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention. About 14% of all people with HIV in the U.S.
don't even know they have the virus, and the only way to find out is to
be tested, the CDC says.
On Monday, hundreds of events around the world from Argentina to Cambodia will focus on prevention and treatment. World AIDS Day was first held in 1988.
Here are some of the events in the United States scheduled for Monday:- The White House will commemorate World AIDS Day at noon ET. You can watch the live stream here.
- The AIDS Healthcare Foundation is holding awareness and testing eventsin California, Florida, Washington, D.C., Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia.
- Former Playboy playmate Rebekka Armstrong, who is living with HIV, will talk about AIDS and HIV awareness at Missouri State University in Springfield.
- At midnight, West Hollywood will broadcast the 24-hour electronic art piece AIDSWatch.
- The Nebraska AIDS Project will present its "Shining Star Award" to Sherri Nared-Brooks and her husband Walter Brooks for their community work tackling AIDS at a ceremony at the University of Nebraska.
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