World AIDS Day is observed every year on December 1. This worldwide effort is designed to encourage public support and programming to prevent the spread of HIV infection, provide awareness and education about HIV/AIDS and demonstrate compassion for those infected or affected by HIV.

World AIDS Day draws people together from around the world in solidarity to pay tribute to the millions of people living with HIV/AIDS, raise awareness of the global impact of HIV/AIDS and celebrate victories that are allowing more people to live longer and healthier lives.

The theme "Getting to Zero" is about reducing new HIV infections, discrimination and AIDS-related deaths to zero, through increased advances and equal access to HIV prevention, testing, treatment and care. Since the first cases of AIDS were reported in 1981, infection with HIV has grown to pandemic proportions, resulting in an estimated 75 million infections and 36 million deaths.

The Health Sciences Unit stands in solidarity with those who have HIV/AIDS or those who have lost someone due to AIDS.