Awareness/Event promotions Articles

AIDS awareness is a huge part of prevention. There are many days devoted to AIDS awareness for different groups throughout the year, but World AIDS Day is globally recognized. It is a universal day of education and awareness that many businesses and communities choose to participate in to take action against the spread of AIDS and to help the public better understand this disease.

About AIDS

AIDS stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and is caused by HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). AIDS is the final stage of HIV, meaning not everyone diagnosed with HIV will develop AIDS. HIV is a virus like any other - like the flu, for example - the big difference is that this virus attacks your immune system so that it cannot be cleared from your body like other viruses can. Scientists are still trying to understand why the human immune system cannot get rid of HIV. Over time HIV attacks T-cells, which are a key component of the immune system. If so many of these cells are destroyed that the body can no longer fight diseases and infections, AIDS results.

HIV is spread through bodily fluids only such as blood, semen, vaginal fluid and breast milk. It cannot be spread by saliva. Risky behaviors increase the risk of acquiring the virus. These behaviors include unprotected sex and sharing needles - actions that can be prevented. Spreading AIDS awareness starts with education about the disease itself, prevention and testing.

AIDS did not always have that name. For a long time, no one knew what the disease was, how it was caused, how it was spread, or how to lessen the risks of developing it. As early as 1959 scientists believe the first known case of what would come to be known as AIDS existed. It wasn't until 1982 that the disease was linked to blood and the term AIDS was used for the first time. In 1987, the first anti-HIV drug was approved by the FDA: AZT. Due to lack of knowledge, the United States shut its doors to all immigrants and travelers carrying HIV. Actions like that sparked initiatives like World AIDS Day - so that people could gain the knowledge and education they needed to understand the disease.

History of World AIDS Day

The first World AIDS Day was observed on December 1, 1988. It is the longest-running disease awareness and prevention initiative of its kind in public history. When the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) took over the planning and promotion of World AIDS Day in 1996, the focus shifted from one day to year-round prevention and education. The World AIDS Campaign was created in 1997 and drew attention to AIDS as a family disease that can affect people of all ages. Its goal was to help alleviate some of the stigma surrounding the disease through communication and learning.

Raising AIDS Awareness

In addition to education and prevention, testing is a key component to AIDS awareness. World AIDS Day aims to promote HIV testing and stop the spread of the disease. Because World AIDS Day falls on December first each year, AIDS awareness month is often observed during December as well. Families, communities, organizations and even businesses can do their part to increase AIDS awareness with promotional AIDS awareness items. These giveaways will serve as constant reminders about the prevalence and dangers of HIV as well as to practice preventative behavior and pass that knowledge along.

About the Author: Darcy Elizabeth is an e-marketing specialist for Motivators, a Long Island based promotional products distributor. The company's website, Motivators.com boasts a fantastic selection of promotional products to create the best marketing value for your brand.