World Aids Day 09 Sees UK Political Parties Unite In One Common Goal

Held every year on the 1st December, World AIDS Day marks a day when we remember those we have lost to the disease and gives us time to reflect on the impact that we’ve made on the fighting HIV and AIDS across the world.

And this year it’s become obvious that there’s still much to be done at home, because alongside a growing number of infections in third world countries, the United Kingdom itself has seen the number of cases diagnosed shoot up from 2800 in 1998 to a massive 8000 in 2008, with the stigma and discrimation surrounding the disease still causing many to feel unable to stand up and admit to being HIV positive.

However whilst this may all make today feel somewhat depressing, what is positive to see is the determination of the three main political leaders in the United Kingdom to change this pattern, with the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, speaking most passionately about his government’s committment to reducing the stigma that stops the quarter of people with HIV who don’t know they have it being testing, but also to improving treatment and care at home and abroad.

Speaking of the UK’s position as the leading world advocate of universal access to treatment gives us much to be proud of as a country, however as Brown says there are still 5 million people, who are mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters and children, who desperately need it but can’t get it – something the Prime Minister is passionate about not letting happen, promising that his government will continue to work hand in hand with those around the world that have the same common goal, that breaks all language barriers, – to make HIV and AIDS history.

And if you want to learn more about World AIDS Day 2009, as well as what you can do to help, then the National AIDs Trust website is a great place to start as this charity not offers you the chance to buy special World AIDS Day merchandise to help raise funds but also offers an incredible amount of information to help change both lives of those with AIDS and attitudes of society as a whole.