World AIDS Day

WHEREAS, HIV/AIDS continues to have a global impact, with an estimated 33.4 million people, including 2.1 million children, living with HIV/AIDS, while over 25 million have died worldwide; and

WHEREAS, HIV/AIDS continues to be a primary health concern in the United States, with over 1.1 million Americans living with HIV/AIDS and an estimated 48,100 new cases occurring annually; and

WHEREAS, in Alabama, there have been 17,799 cases of HIV/AIDS reported since 1982, and there are an estimated 11,000 people currently living with HIV/AIDS in the state; and

WHEREAS, combating this global epidemic requires a renewed and unified worldwide, national and local effort; and

WHEREAS, “Getting to Zero,” the World AIDS Campaign theme for World AIDS Day 2011, aims to reduce new HIV infections, discrimination, and AIDS related deaths to zero; and

WHEREAS, the fight against HIV/AIDS will only be won through increased advances and equal access to HIV prevention, testing, treatment and care; and

WHEREAS, Alabamians are encouraged to educate themselves about the risks of HIV, be aware of their HIV status through testing, obtain care if infected, and demonstrate compassion for those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert Bentley, Governor of Alabama, do hereby proclaim December 1, 2011, as

World AIDS Day

in the State of the Alabama.

 

Given Under My Hand and the Great Seal of the Office of the Governor at the State Capitol in the City of Montgomery on the 30th day of November 2011.

 

                                                                                 Governor Robert Bentley