♦ World AIDS Day is observed annually on December 1 to focus global attention on the HIV/AIDS epidemic, raise awareness, and honour those who have died from AIDS. This day was first established in 1988 by the World Health Organization (WHO).  

♦ As per the recent India HIV Estimations 2023 report, over 2.5 million people are living with HIV in India, the adult HIV prevalence is at 0.2 % and estimated annual new HIV infections are at around 66,400. New annual HIV infections have decreased by 44% since 2010, outperforming the global reduction rate of 39%.

♦ 2024 theme: “Take the rights path: My health, my right!”

♦ Global HIV Statistics FACT SHEET 2024 (UNAIDS 2024 epidemiological estimates Report)

♦ People living with HIV: 39.9 million

♦ New HIV Infections: 1.3 million

♦ AIDS-related deaths: 630 000

♦ New HIV Infections (Adults, aged 15+): 1.2 million

♦ New HIV Infections (Children, aged 0–14): 120 000

♦ People accessing antiretroviral therapy: 30.7 million

♦ Every day in 2023, 570 young women and girls aged between 15 and 24 acquired HIV.