World Aids Day December 1 st

1. YSGOL STANWELL SCHOOL PSE Blwyddyn11 BC & LJe 2012-2013 World Aids DayDecember 1st Enw: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dosbarth: 11 . . . Athrawes/ athro:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2. What is World AIDS Day? World AIDS Day is held on 1 December each year and is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV and to commemorate people who have died. World AIDS Day was the first ever global health day and the first one was held in 1988. Why is World AIDS Day important? More than 90,000 people are currently living with HIV in the UK and globally an estimated 33.3 million people have HIV. More than 25 million people between 1981 and 2007 have died from the virus, making it one of the most destructive pandemics in history. Today, many scientific advances have been made in HIV treatment, there are laws to protect people living with HIV and we understand so much more about the condition. But despite this, people do not know the facts about how to protect themselves and others from HIV, and stigma and discrimination remain a reality for many people living with HIV. World AIDS Day is important as it reminds the public and Government that HIV has not gone away – there is still a vital need to raise money, increase awareness, fight prejudice and improve education. What should I do on World AIDS Day? World AIDS Day is an opportunity for you to learn the facts about HIV and put your knowledge into action. If you understand how HIV is transmitted, how it can be prevented, and the reality of living with HIV today - you can use this knowledge to take care of your own health and the health of others, and ensure you treat everyone living with HIV fairly, and with respect and understanding. You can also show your support for people living with HIV on World AIDS Day by wearing a red ribbon, the international symbol of HIV awareness. World AIDS Day is also a great opportunity to raise money for NAT (National Aids Trust) and show your support for people living with HIV

3. The red ribbon is the universal symbol of awareness and support for those living with HIV. The red ribbon was the first ever ribbon symbol, inspiring later versions such as the pink ribbon for breast cancer awareness. Why did we need a symbol? The aim was to get people talking about HIV. This was during a time where HIV was highly stigmatised and people living with HIV were suffering behind closed doors, some too scared to even tell their loved ones they were living with the virus. The artists wanted to create a visual expression of compassion for people living with, and affected by, HIV. The artists were inspired by the yellow ribbons tied on trees to denote support for the US military fighting in the Gulf War. Pink and the rainbow colours were rejected because they were too closely associated with the gay community, and they wanted to convey that HIV went beyond the gay community and was relevant to everyone. Red was chosen as it is bold and visible – symbolising passion, a heart and love. The shape was chosen simply because it was easy to make and replicate – anyone can make one by just cutting out a piece of ribbon, looping it around your finger and pinning it on. Within weeks of the red ribbon idea being born, world-famous actors starting wearing the red ribbon to high-profile award ceremonies such as the Oscars and talking about why it was important. The media also cottoned on, and within a short space of time the red ribbon symbol became universally recognised. At the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert held at London's Wembley Stadium on Easter Sunday 1992, more than 100,000 red ribbons were distributed among the audience, with performers such as George Michael wearing one. The Red Ribbon continues to be a powerful force in the efforts to increase public awareness of HIV.

4. HIV stands for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It is a virus which attacks the body's immune system - the body's defence against diseases. When someone is described as living with HIV, they have the HIV virus in their body. Treatment can keep the virus under control and the immune system healthy. People on HIV treatment can live a healthy, active life – although some may experience side effects from the treatment. If HIV is diagnosed late, treatment is likely to be less effective Did you know? Over a quarter of people with HIV in the UK don't know they are infected One in 20 gay men in the UK are living with HIV For someone diagnosed with HIV today at 35 (the average age of diagnosis in the UK) life expectancy is over 72 The most common treatment today for someone diagnosed with HIV early is one or two pills a day Lots of people with HIV work and their HIV does not affect their working life HIV is not transmitted through normal everyday contact at work, school or in social situations HIV is not transmitted by biting, scratching or spitting With the right medical help, 99% of HIV positive women give birth to healthy babies without passing on HIV HIV affects all ages – one in five people living with HIV in the UK are over 50 and last year one in ten people diagnosed were aged 16 to 24 About HIV AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. A person with HIV is considered to have developed AIDS when the immune system is so weak it can no longer fight off a range of diseases with which it would normally cope Remember: 1)Always use a condom when having sex. 2) Never share needles, syringes or any other injecting equipment. HIV can be passed on through infected blood, semen, vaginal fluids, rectal secretions or breast milk. The most common ways HIV is passed on are: Sex without a condom, sharing infected needles, syringes or other injecting drug equipment

5. Common Myths

6. HIV StatisticsMore people than ever are living with HIV in the UK and each year new infections occur. These statistics provide a snapshot of the HIV epidemic in the UK and abroad People living with HIV in the UK • The number of people living with HIV in the UK has trebled in the last 10 years • More than 91,500 people are living with HIV in the UK • Around a quarter of people with HIV in the UK are undiagnosed • About two thirds of people living with HIV are men and a third are women • Over half of all people living with HIV are aged between 30 and 49, but there are significant numbers both of young people and older people now living with HIV • 2010 figures show • 6,658 new HIV diagnoses • The two groups most affected remain gay and bisexual men and black African heterosexuals – over three-quarters of people diagnosed with HIV in 2010 were among these two groups • 3,000 new HIV diagnoses among men who have sex with men — the highest number ever recorded in a year • 3,350 new HIV diagnoses were acquired heterosexually and more than two-thirds of these acquired their HIV abroad • Half of adults were diagnosed with HIV at a late stage of infection (after the point at which treatment should have begun) • International statistics • The number of new HIV infections has declined globally by 21% since the estimated peak of the epidemic in 1997 • 2.7 million people were newly infected with HIV worldwide in 2009 • In some parts of the world (particularly within Sub-Saharan Africa) between 15-28% of the population are living with HIV • People living with HIV globally • 34 million people living with HIV worldwide • 0.8% HIV adult prevalence worldwide • 50% of people living with HIV worldwide are women • 1.8 million AIDS-related deaths • New HIV cases around the globe in 2010 • 2.7 million people diagnosed with HIV • 390,000 new HIV infections among children • HIV incidence has fallen in 33 countries, 22 of them in sub-Saharan Africa

8. QuestionsAnswer the following questions: What does the acronym HIV stand for? __________________________________________________________________________ 2. What is HIV? _________________________________________________________________________ 3. What does the acronym AIDS stand for? __________________________________________________________________________ 4. What is AIDS? __________________________________________________________________________ 5. What is World Aids Day? __________________________________________________________________________ 6. How many people in the UK are living with HIV? __________________________________________________________________________ 7. How many people worldwide are living with HIV? __________________________________________________________________________ 8. What does the red ribbon symbolise? __________________________________________________________________________ 9. When is World Aids Day? __________________________________________________________________________ 10. When was the first case of Aids in the UK? __________________________________________________________________________