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For Immediate Release: 12/01/06

December 1st is World AIDS Day

The World Health Organization established World AIDS Day in 1988 to focus global attention on the devastating impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Observance of this day provides an opportunity for everyone to demonstrate the importance of the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Americans should be reminded that HIV/AIDS does not discriminate. With an estimated 1,039,000 to 1,185,000 HIV-positive individuals living in the U.S., and approximately 40,000 new infections occurring every year, the U.S., like other nations around the world is deeply affected by HIV/AIDS. There were an estimated 38.6 million people worldwide living with HIV at the end of 2005, and more than 25 million people have died of AIDS since 1981.
 
For more information on HIV, AIDS or HIV testing, contact the health department at (573) 458-6010.

For additional information, visit http://www.omhrc.gov/hivaidsobservances/world/

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