Today is the 21st World AIDS Day — observed each year on December 1st.

The World Health Organization started World AIDS Day in 1998 to call attention to this devastating epidemic that is wrecking havoc throughout the world.

The goal is to provide governments, faith-based organizations, national AIDS programs, individuals and community organizations the resources and ability to raise awareness and focus attention on something that affects millions of people throughout the world.

It is estimated that over one million Americans are living with HIV.  Worldwide, that number jumps to 33 million.

Things you should do today:

• Get tested (visit HIVtest.org for resources)
• Practice safer methods to prevent HIV
• Decide not to engage in high risk behaviors
• Talk about HIV prevention with family, friends and colleagues
• Provide support to persons living with HIV/AIDS
• Get involved with or host an event for World AIDS Day in your community (search events)
• Become a fan of World AIDS Day on Facebook to help spread the word

Today is the perfect day to reflect upon all of the pain and suffering HIV/AIDS has caused and will still cause.  If you haven’t already done it, there is no better day than today to think about your own risks to exposure and develop a plan to reduce or eliminate them.

Tags: AIDS, HIV, HIV Testing