Media - 2007 press releases

WORLD AIDS DAY - Saturday 1 December NATIONAL AIDS TRUST SAYS 'ONE WEEK TO GET INVOLVED AND GET TALKING!'

World AIDS Day is less than one week away. There are over 33 million people living with HIV around the world and more than 70,000 people are living with HIV in the UK.

Deborah Jack, Chief Executive of the National AIDS Trust says:

"World AIDS Day 2007 is a great time to get talking about HIV, listen to people's experiences of HIV, and learn the facts about the virus to help spread the word to friends and family.

We rely on communities across the UK to get involved this time of year to increase awareness and raise vital funds."

Five ways you can get involved:

1. Wear the limited edition Levis World AIDS Day t-shirt.
2. Get talking with family and friends using the World AIDS Day international phonecard www.postoffice.co.uk
3. Make sure you know the fact about HIV and get talking with your friends www.worldaidsday.org
4. Attend an event in Norwich: World AIDS Gala- City College Norwich Drama centre. 1 Dec @ 7pm. See http://www.worldaidsday.com/events_all.asp for more ideas.
5. Don't forget - wear a red ribbon! You can buy your ribbon at Zavvi, Mac Cosmetics and Selfridges Oxford Street.

Five facts you may not know about HIV and World AIDS Day:

1. In 2006 there were an estimated 73,000 people of all ages living with HIV in the UK and about 21,600 were unaware of their infection.
2. Internationally, there have been 2.5 million total new cases of HIV in 2007, with 2.1 cases in adults and 420,000 cases in children under the age of 15.
3. The red ribbon worn for World AIDS Day has been a symbol of HIV awareness since 1991 and is a powerful way to challenge the stigma and discrimination surrounding HIV and AIDS in the world today.
4. Young people (aged 16 - 24) accounted for over 1 in 10 new HIV diagnoses in the UK by the end of 2006.
5. The UK theme for World AIDS Day 2007 is 'Understanding Through Communication', which highlights the importance of using open communication to break down the silence and stigma around HIV and to get people talking to increase their knowledge about the virus.

Notes to the Editor:

The National AIDS Trust (NAT) is the UK's leading independent policy and campaigning voice on HIV and AIDS. It aims to prevent the spread of HIV, encourage early diagnosis, ensure people living with HIV have access to treatment and care, and eradicate HIV-related stigma and discrimination.