December is World AIDS Month and citizens everywhere are being made conscious of this current epidemic. Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome is the disease that most people think only affects homosexual men. In truth, this disease also affects heterosexuals as well as all races and both genders.

In the US, African-Americans made up nearly 13% of the population but accounted for 51% of new HIV diagnoses in 2004 (CDC, 2005). That is an outstanding percentage compared to the numbers of people who contracted the disease among other races or ethnicities. Between the years 2000 and 2004, a total of 117,164 Hispanics were diagnosed with AIDS. This number totaled 375,155 for Caucasians and 379,278 for blacks. The Center for Disease Control says that AIDS is the leading cause of death for black women ages 25 to 44.

There are 12 million children in Africa who have been orphaned by AIDS. In developing countries only 1 million out of the total of 6.5 million people infected and needing treatment and medicines for AIDS are actually receiving them. Worldwide, 3.1 million adults and children have died from the syndrome. In the Sub- Saharan African region, 25.8 million have this disease.

World AIDS month is supposed to make everyone aware of the disease and aware of the ways to prevent it from continuing to spread. Since December 1997, World AIDS month begins on December 1st. This day is also nationally known as World AIDS day. There is a website promoting this occasion also; http://lldzines.com/.

Those who support the elimination of AIDS can wear a red ribbon. To prevent AIDS, use condoms while having sex. If there is penetration, which includes oral sex, you need to use a condom. People also contract the disease through intravenous drug use. Injecting needles can infect a person with any disease from Hepatitis to HIV to AIDS.

Although there is no cure for AIDS, with research, new medicines and treatments have been made possible to those who can afford them.