World AIDS Day
The Link That Threatens Our Youth

World AIDS Day, established by the World Health Organization in 1988, takes place every year on December 1st.  This day is set aside as a global day of observance to Educate, Motivate and Mobilize against HIV/AIDS.

San Antonio Fighting Back, Inc. joined over twelve other agencies on World Aids Day to remember those who died from HIV/AIDS and to celebrate their lives. 

 

It is estimated that worldwide there are more than 38.6 million people living with HIV, up to 1,185,000 of these individuals live in the United States, and more than 25 million people worldwide have died from AIDS since 1981(DHHS USA).

 

Until recently little was known about the impact and risks associated with STDs and the link to HIV.  The risks far greater than once perceived. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), individuals affected with STDs are two to five times more likely to contract HIV and, if an individual has both HIV and an STD, they can be ten times more infectious.  The group most at risk are teenagers who have not been educated about the link between STD’s and HIV. 

 

Bexar County reported in 2005 that, locally, in Bexar County over 5000 youth ages 13-22 are infected with either STDs, HIV, or are dually infected. The San Antonio Independent School District had the highest percentage of STD’s with Edgewood not far behind.   To help educate the public the media was invited to learn more and take part in the all day event and take part in the die in at Travis Park downtown which concluded with a candle light vigil at Travis Park United Methodist Church.

  
     
   

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