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On November 24, 2004 the United Nations warned that the world was facing a “unique development challenge” with acceleration in the spread of AIDS. New data revealed there are nearly 40 million HIV sufferers worldwide. Of these 3 million will die of AIDS this year, a record toll in the 23-year history of the killer virus. The report says Sub-Saharan Africa remains by far the worst-affected region in the world. In South Africa 5.3 million people are infected, with “no sign yet of a decline in the epidemic.” India has the second largest number of HIV sufferers in the world (5.1 million), while East Asia has seen a 56 percent increase in HIV cases, mainly attributable to an explosive rise in China. Women now constitute over half of all new cases contracting HIV/AIDS due to poor sexual education, the sex trade, unprotected sexual intercourse, and a greater natural susceptibility to contract the virus than men. However, if you are diagnosed with HIV, your physical health is not the only issue you have to deal with. Along with the physical illness are mental health conditions that may come up. Mental health refers to the overall well-being of a person, including a person's mood, emotions, and behavior. HIV/AIDS can have a major impact on many parts of human life. People with HIV and those close to them are subject to many things that may affect their mental health. Many people are surprised when they learn that they have been diagnosed with HIV. Some people feel overwhelmed by the changes that they will need to make in their lives. It is normal to have strong reactions when you find out you are HIV positive, including feelings such as fear, anger, and a sense of being overwhelmed. Often people feel helpless, sad, and anxious about the illness. Although the society doesn’t forget people affected with this devastating disease. The red ribbon, a ribbon colored red, is the symbol of solidarity of people living with HIV/AIDS. The New York artists created the Red Ribbon Project in 1991. The artists wished to create a visual symbol to demonstrate compassion for people living with AIDS and their caregivers. The color red was chosen for it as the connection to blood and the idea of passion - not only anger, but love, like a valentine. First worn publicly by Jeremy Irons at the 1991 Tony Awards, the ribbon soon became renowned as an international symbol of AIDS awareness, becoming a politically correct fashion accessory on the lapels of celebrities. The Red Ribbon continues to be a powerful force in the fight to increase public awareness of HIV/AIDS and in the lobbying efforts to increase funding for AIDS services and research. 13. Pairs/Groups write down questions based on
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