Technology Slice Blog

World Aids Day 2010: Aids Ribbon - Each year on December 1st, World Aids Day is observed to raise awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection. It is common to hold memorials to honor persons who have died from HIV/AIDS on this day. This year I’m asking people to wear the red ribbon to show everyone that you support the cause. AIDS has killed more than 25 million people between 1981 and 2007, and an estimated 33.2 million people worldwide live with HIV as of 2007, making it one of the most destructive epidemics in recorded history. Despite recent, improved access to antiretroviral treatment and care in many regions of the world, the AIDS epidemic claimed an estimated 2 million lives in 2007,of which about 270,000 were children. The theme for World AIDS Day 2010 is 'Universal Access and Human Rights'. World Aids Day 2010: Aids Ribbon

World Aids Day - The recent UNAIDS global report cited significant progress in preventing mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV. It says there have been fewer infections and fewer deaths among women and their newborns. One organization has played a major role in that success. Dr. Laura Guay (Gay), the foundation’s vice-president of research, says, “We’re very happy to see the new report that we’ve made significant progress in the last five years with the scale-up of services for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission globally. Whereas in 2004, only about 10 percent of pregnant women had access and were receiving antiretroviral drugs to protect their baby from HIV, in 2009 that number has gone up to 53 percent. “ But Guay says thousands more pregnant women still need access to HIV prevention services. “We still have a long way to go. Forty-seven percent of women still do not have access. So, while we celebrate the progress that’s been made in the last five year...