Today is International World AIDS Day. This video, just released today, is the fruit of a partnership between Eve For Life and Nomaddz. Eve For Life is an NGO doing some wonderful work to support women and children in Jamaica living with HIV. In Jamaica, women account for about 42 per cent of HIV cases and have little access to support services. Eve For Life was established to provide whatever support they require. (Nomaddz is a local band that also supports Eve For Life’s Nuh Guh Deh campaign, which I have written about. If you’d like to learn more about another campaign to support people living with HIV/AIDS, check out this profile I wrote about Damone Thomas’ Healing With Hope, a courageous individual who is doing a lot of good with few resources.)

And while much progress has been made in terms of treating this illness, it remains a global pandemic. Here are some facts: 34 million people are currently infected and 35 million people have died.

Here are a few more facts about HIV in the UK:

Over 90% of people with HIV were infected through sexual contact
You can now get tested for HIV using a saliva sample
HIV is not passed on through spitting, biting or sharing utensils
Only 1% of babies born to HIV positive mothers have HIV
You can get the results of an HIV test in just 15-20 minutes
There is no vaccine and no cure for HIV

According to this web site, there are several things you can do to support this cause: Educate yourself; wear a red ribbon and donate to groups dedicated to eradicating this illness.