World AIDS Day 2023: Theme, history, significance and measures to reduce the risk

World AIDS Day has been observed to spread awareness about this life-threatening condition caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). (File photo)

World AIDS Day is observed on December 1 with a new theme every year and in 2023, the theme is “Let communities lead”.

This year, the World Health Organisation (WHO) highlighted that communities living with, and affected by, HIV, and youth leaders have been, essential for progress in the HIV response. They provide essential prevention, testing, and treatment support services apart from building trust, working on solutions, and monitoring the implementation of policies.

"The world can end AIDS with communities leading the way. That is why the theme for World AIDS Day this year is ‘Let communities lead’, and much more than a celebration of the achievements of communities, it is a call to action to enable and support communities in their leadership roles," the global health body stated. "On World AIDS Day 2023, WHO celebrates and recognizes the invaluable contributions of communities in leading the response to HIV."

History of World AIDS Day 2023
Since 1988, World AIDS Day has been observed to spread awareness about this life-threatening condition caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It is also observed to extend support to those who are fighting AIDS.

Significance of World AIDS Day 2023
HIV, a major public health issue, affects millions of people across the world. The virus attacks the immune system and reduces its resistance to other diseases, putting the lives of patients at risk. As per the World Health Organization's (WHO) latest data, 38.4 million people were living with AIDS in 2021.

According to data collected in 2022, India has about 2.47 million people living with HIV with approximately 66,000 new cases recorded last year. As per the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, AIDS-related deaths in India stood at approximately 39,000, marking a significant decline of nearly 77 percent since 2010.

Preventive measures for AIDSThe UNAIDS has proposed three points to empower communities in leading the fight against AIDS:

1.) Granting communities leadership roles.

2.) Ensuring adequate funding.

3.) Establishing a regulatory environment to facilitate the active involvement of communities in health services for AIDS patients.

Read more: World AIDS Day: How generations of queer people documented the HIV/AIDS crisis