Every year on December 1, organizations, groups, and individuals around the world plan events to participate in World AIDS Day. These events highlight the overwhelming number of individuals suffering from HIV/AIDS and honor those who have passed away. Many organizations also use this time to focus on prevention efforts.

The first World AIDS Day was organized by the World Health Organization on December 1, 1988.  For twenty years, World AIDS Day has stood as a time to remind people of the AIDS crisis and to remember those who have been lost to HIV/AIDS.

For World AIDS Day 2008, the theme is “Stop AIDS; Keep the Promise - Lead- Empower- Deliver”.  This theme is not specific to World AIDS Day, but is used year-round in the World AIDS Campaign's efforts to highlight HIV/AIDS awareness within the context of other major global events.

For more information about HIV/AIDs and World AIDS Day contact the Florida HIV/AIDS Hotline at 1-800-FLA-AIDS or visit: