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World AIDS Day 2009

Perspective means everything. You've never seen anyone with AIDS? How do you know?


HIV is invisible. There's no way you can know who has it. So you think you know what HIV looks like? Think again.

HIV in Canada is an evolving epidemic, so the way we perceive it also has to evolve.

HIV was prevalent primarily among gay men and men who have sex with men when it first appeared, but in 2009, although they're still the group most susceptible to HIV, Aboriginal people and Black Canadians are overrepresented in the epidemic. As well, an increasingly greater number of cases of HIV are being attributed to heterosexual sex, with women now accounting for approximately 25% of HIV test reports.

During the early days of the HIV epidemic, you might have been able to recognize a person with HIV, but treatment has advanced significantly, making HIV more manageable and less visible. Still, costs of medication are high, both financially and in terms of health, with side effects being a daily reality for some people. There is still no cure. Once you have HIV, you have it for life, but it is entirely preventable. And, despite some increased levels of awareness about HIV, people living with HIV still experience stigma and discrimination.

At this very moment, you may be sitting next to someone who is HIV positive and not know it. Or, you may be one of the approximately 30% of 62,000 Canadians living with HIV who doesn't know they're HIV-positive. How would you see HIV then? Why would you see it differently if it weren't you?

To learn more about HIV/AIDS in Canada and how you can help end the epidemic, read our information sheets:

Across the country, the week of November 24 - 30 marks Canadian HIV/AIDS Week. It's an occasion to raise awareness surrounding HIV/AIDS issues nationally and culminates in the international observance of World AIDS Day.

December 1 of each year is World AIDS Day, a day dedicated to increasing awareness of HIV/AIDS issues worldwide and an occasion to call upon leaders to honour their commitments in the fight against HIV/AIDS. The date is often marked with a variety of events, including vigils, fundraising activities, awareness campaigns and many other activities.

On this date, the Canadian AIDS Society hosts its annual World AIDS Day Gala and also participates in national awareness-raising campaigns.

The theme chosen for 2009 World AIDS Day is Universal Access and Human Rights.

Show your support and solidarity for people living with HIV by wearing your heart on your sleeve, with a CAS Leadership Pin.

CAS 2nd Annual World AIDS Day Gala 2009

To order World AIDS Day materials, please visit the Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange.

Our 2008 World AIDS Day campaign was made possible through the support of the following sponsors:

Production of this campaign has been made possible through a financial contribution from the Public Health Agency of Canada. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the views of the Public Health Agency of Canada.




World AIDS Day and Canadian HIV/AIDS Awareness Week