Worlds fights against AIDS

WATCH VIDEO

Source: CCTV.com | 12-01-2006 09:03

Today (FRI) is World AIDS Day, and the World Health Organization has chosen "accountability" as this year's theme.
It's called on political leaders to support the fight against HIV/AIDS and to raise awareness of the virus. This includes programs like evidence-based interventions for at-risk populations.

On the eve of World AIDS Day, the WHO warned that the situation in Asia will worsen unless political powers meet their promises to step up efforts to stop the spread of the virus.

A report issued by the international health body said high-risk behavior, like intravenous drug use and unprotected sex, is to blame for the HIV epidemic in Asia.

Currently, an estimated 8.6 million people live with HIV in Asia, 960,000 of whom were infected this past year.

Taking up the WHO's call to arms, hundreds of people gathered in France's capital Paris on Thursday to demonstrate their support for the fight against AIDS.  The rally was organized by ACT-UP, a French association committed to ending the AIDS crisis. The group's leader said the march of solidarity aimed to inspire citizens across the globe to hold their political leaders accountable for the promises they have made.

World AIDS Day was initiated in 1988. Its aim is to increase awareness, fight prejudice and improve education.  Originally organized by UN-AIDS, responsibility was handed over, in 2005, to the World AIDS Campaign, which is an independent organization.

Editor:Ji Xuewen