World AIDS Day 2011: Getting To Zero Dec.

1 is World AIDS Day, a day dedicated to bring awareness to those who have died from the disease and strides made in the fight against it. On the first of December, World AIDS Day is celebrated. This day is an opportunity for people to unite in the fight against HIV/AIDS, to remember those who have died of the disease and to celebrate accomplishments, such as increased access to treatment and prevention services. Today, despite advances in HIV treatment and in laws designed to protect those living with HIV; many people do not know the facts about how to protect themselves and others from HIV or about the stigma and discrimination that remain a reality for many people living with HIV. World AIDS Day is an important reminder to individuals and governments that HIV has not gone away there is still a vital need to raise money, increase awareness, fight prejudice and improve education. The theme for World AIDS Day 2011 is "Getting to Zero." After 30 years of the global fight against HIV/AIDS, this year the focus is on achieving 3 targets: Zero new HIV infections. Zero discrimination. Zero AIDSrelated deaths. Zero New HIV Infections It is estimated that 33.3 million people have HIV worldwide. In Sierra Leone it is estimated that between 49,000 live with HIV (2009) with prevalence of 1.6 .This number is expected to continue to increase over time, as advances in treatments prolong the lives of those who are infected and more people become infected with HIV each year. Despite increases in the total number of people in Sierra Leone living with HIV infection in recent years, the annual number of new HIV infections has remained relatively stable. However, new infections continue at far too high of a level, with many Sierra Leonean becoming infected with HIV each year. Worldwide, the rate of new infections, or incidence, has decreased. In 33 countries, the incidence has decreased more than 25 percent since 2001, including countries in the hardest hit areas of sub-Saharan Africa.

The National Aids Secretariat believe that many people living with HIV in Sierra Leone are unaware of their infection. This highlights the importance of reaching all infected individuals with HIV testing and prevention services. HIV can be transmitted in three main ways: sexual transmission; transmission through blood; and mother-to-child transmission. These three routes of transmission work in tandem to affect segments of the population. The number of infections resulting from each route will vary greatly between countries and population groups. HIV counseling and testing are fundamental for HIV prevention, as is access to essential commodities such as condoms or sterile injecting equipment. Zero Discrimination According to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon, "Stigma remains the single most important barrier to public action. It is a main reason why too many people are afraid to see a doctor to determine whether they have the disease, or to seek treatment if so. It helps make AIDS the silent killer, because people fear the social disgrace of speaking about it, or taking easily available precautions. Stigma is a chief reason why the AIDS epidemic continues to devastate societies around the world." Discrimination against those infected with HIV/AIDS includes both the fear of getting the disease and also negative assumptions about people who are infected. AIDS-related stigma has had a profound effect on the epidemics course. The World Health Organization cites fear of stigma and discrimination as the main reason why people are reluctant to be tested, to disclose their HIV status or to take antiretroviral drugs. "We can fight stigma. Enlightened laws and policies are key. But it begins with openness, the courage to speak out. Schools should teach respect and understanding. Religious leaders should preach tolerance. The media should condemn prejudice and use its influence to advance social change, from securing legal protections to ensuring access to health care." Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations. Zero AIDS Related Deaths More than 25 million people between 1981 and 2007 have died from the virus worldwide, making it one of the most destructive pandemics

in history. In Sierra Leone many people with AIDS have died since the epidemic began. The goal of Zero AIDS Related Deaths signifies an increased access to available treatments for all those infected. Currently, only one third of the 15 million people living with HIV worldwide who are in need of life long treatment are receiving it. Universal access to antiretroviral treatments for those living with HIV will not only decrease the number of AIDS related deaths, but will increase the quality of life among those infected and decrease transmission. World AIDS Day is an opportunity for all of us to learn the facts about HIV. By increasing the understanding of how HIV is transmitted, how it can be prevented, and the reality of living with HIV today-we can use this knowledge to take care of our own health and the health of others. An estimated 22.5 million people were living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa at the end of 2009, including 2.3 million children. During 2009, an estimated 1.3 million Africans died from AIDS Almost 90% of the 16.6 million children orphaned by AIDS live in sub-Saharan Africa. The estimated number of adults and children living with HIV and AIDS, the number of deaths from AIDS, and the number of living orphans in individual countries in sub-Saharan Africa at the end of 2009 are shown below. Country Angola Benin Botswana Burkina Faso Burundi Cameroon Central African Republic Chad Comoros Congo People living with HIV/AIDS 200,000 60,000 320,000 110,000 180,000 610,000 130,000 210,000 <500 77,000 Adult (15-49) prevalence % 2.0 1.2 24.8 1.2 3.3 5.3 4.7 3.4 0.1 3.4 Women with HIV/AIDS 110,000 32,000 170,000 56,000 90,000 320,000 67,000 110,000 <100 40,000 Children with HIV/AIDS 22,000 5,400 16,000 17,000 28,000 54,000 17,000 23,000 ... 7,900

Cte d'Ivoire Dem. Republic of Congo

450,000 (430,000560,000)

3.4 (1.21.6) 5.0 0.8 5.2 2.0 1.8 1.3 2.5 6.3 23.6 1.5 0.2 11.0 1.0 0.7 1.0 11.5 13.1 0.8 3.6 2.9 0.9 1.6 17.8 25.9 3.2

220,000 (220,000300,000) 11,000 13,000 25,000 9,700 140,000 41,000 12,000 760,000 160,000 19,000 7,300 470,000 40,000 4,000 2,500 760,000 95,000 28,000 1,700,000 88,000 32,000 28,000 3,300,000 100,000 67,000

63,000 (33,00086,000) 1,600 3,100 3,200 ... 27,000 9,000 2,100 180,000 28,000 6,100 ... 120,000 ... ... ... 130,000 16,000 ... 360,000 22,000 ... 2,900 330,000 14,000 11,000

Equatorial Guinea 20,000 Eritrea Gabon Gambia Ghana Guinea Guinea-Bissau Kenya Lesotho Liberia Madagascar Malawi Mali Mauritania Mauritius Mozambique Namibia Niger Nigeria Rwanda Senegal Sierra Leone South Africa Swaziland Togo 25,000 46,000 18,000 260,000 79,000 22,000 1,500,000 290,000 37,000 24,000 920,000 76,000 14,000 8,800 1,400,000 180,000 61,000 3,300,000 170,000 59,000 49,000 5,600,000 180,000 120,000

Uganda United Rep. Of Tanzania Zambia Zimbabwe

1,200,000 1,400,000 980,000 1,200,000

6.5 5.6 13.5 14.3 5.0

610,000 730,000 490,000 620,000 12,100,000

150,000 160,000 120,000 150,000 2,300,000

Total sub-Saharan Africa 22,500,000 Notes

These estimates include all people with HIV infection, including those who have not developed symptoms of AIDS. Adults in this page are defined as men and women aged over 15, unless specified otherwise. Children are defined as people under the age of 15, whilst orphans are children aged under 18 who have lost one or both parents to AIDS. What can we do? Wear a ribbon and raise awareness The red ribbon is an international symbol of AIDS awareness that is worn by people all year round and particularly around World AIDS Day to demonstrate care and concern about HIV and AIDS, and to remind others of the need for their support and commitment. The red ribbon started as a "grass roots" effort; as a result there is no one official AIDS ribbon manufacturer, and many people make their own. It's easily done - just use some ordinary red ribbon and a safety pin! If you want to take your awareness raising a step further then try finding a local event to take part in. Around the world there are hundreds of activities taking place to mark World AIDS Day, including candlelight vigils, art shows, marches and religious services. If you can't find anything in your area then why not organized an event yourself? Raise money for NAS NAS has AIDS projects all over the country and involved all institutions affected by HIV and AIDS. Many of the people affected by HIV/AIDS in these areas are also dealing with other challenges such as extreme poverty, stigma and lack of healthcare. Our work tackles a range of issues such as education, treatment and care. The projects also aim to help the children orphaned or otherwise affected by HIV and AIDS. There are LOADS of different ways you can support our projects by fundraising for NAS. Here are just a few ideas:

Sponsored events Walking, running, sponsored silence, reading or, if you fancy something more high octane, how about a sky dive or a bungee jump? Organise an event Office fun day, jumble sale, cake sale, coffee morning, football tournament, concert, poetry night or dance. Other ideas Kick a bad habit (e.g. smoking), give up something you love for a month (e.g. TV, chocolate or alcohol!), shave your head, organise a car wash, pub quiz, or auction of people's time and skills. These are just a few suggestions but you can let your imagination run wild to think of other ideas!