World AIDS Day is December 1st; and will be observed under the theme, ‘Hands Up for #HIV Prevention’

​World AIDS Day, has been celebrated annually on 1st December every year since 1988, and this year will be no exception. World AIDS day 2016 will be observed this Thursday 1st December, under the theme ‘Hands Up for #HIV Prevention’.
 
World AIDS day is dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection, and mourning those who have died of the disease. 
 
Government health officials, non-governmental organizations and individuals around the world observe the day, often with education on AIDS prevention and control. 
 
Despite recent breakthroughs such as the elimination of mother to child transmission in Cuba, as well as improved access to anti-retroviral treatment in many regions of the world, the AIDS epidemic claims an estimated 2 million lives each year, of which about 270,000 are children.
 
As of 2013, AIDS has killed more than 36 million people worldwide (1981-2012), and an estimated 35.3 million people are living with HIV, making it one of the most important global public health issues in recorded history.