Saturday, December 1, is World AIDS Day. Use this collection of facts, figures, and context to put the day in geographic perspective.

Cut to the good stuff—links to maps, data-analysis tools, and other online geography resources focusing on AIDS and HIV.

By the Numbers

According to the CIA World Factbook, HIV.gov, and UNAIDS, there are currently about 36.9 million people worldwide living with HIV (the virus that causes AIDS) or AIDS itself. Of those, about:

• 1.8 million are children under 15 years old.
• 2.2 live in Europe and North America.
• 5.2 million live in Asia.
• 25.7 million live in Africa.
• 7.2 million live in South Africa, the country with the largest number of people living with HIV.
  • Swaziland is the country with the largest proportion of people living with HIV, however, with more than 27% of adults infected with the virus.

In the United States, about:

• 1.1 million people are living with HIV. Use AIDSVu, an interactive online mapping tool to visualize and analyze the impact of HIV on communities across the U.S.
• African American and Latinx communities are disproportionately at risk.
• Communities in the South are disproportionately at risk.

Putting it in Perspective

Why are some regions and communities affected more than others?

The Global HIV Prevention Coalition has studied the issue. Their analyses indicate that obstacles to effective HIV prevention efforts include poverty, gender inequality, inequity in health and the education system, discrimination against marginalized people, and unequal resource pathways. All of these factors are more common in areas with higher levels of HIV infection.

This article from Teaching Tolerance outlines how teachers can combat the fear and ignorance that hinders support for students, fellow educators, or parents with HIV or AIDS.

Teachers Toolkit

If you would like to know more about the HIV/AIDS epidemic, there are ample resources available online with geographic statistics, histories, scientific studies, maps, and more, that convey staggering information about HIV/AIDS and its global impact.

Here are some great resources to get you started:

• Nat Geo: World AIDS Day. Get a two-paragraph introduction (three, for younger readers) to AIDS and World AIDS Day.

• UNAIDS: AIDSinfo. This is our favorite, geography-rich resource for up-to-date information on HIV and AIDS. Find
  • maps
  • graphs
  • fact sheets
  • interactive tools to compare data
  • financial dashboards (this is still in beta, but definitely a resource to watch)

• AIDSVu: Map. This interactive, online mapping tool lets users dig deep into local HIV/AIDS statistics (including age, race, and transmission categories), comparison charts, and health and wellness services. It’s a fantastic resource that allows students to localize an epidemic.

• World Health Organization: HIV/AIDS. WHO provides up-to-date maps, data, and links to individual country reports and fact sheets.

• HIV.gov: World AIDS Day and HIV Basics. Find local events and guides for planning your own, digital graphics, and links to health and wellness resources.

• Teaching Tolerance: Tackling Biases about HIV and AIDS. Educators need education, too, especially when it comes to supporting students with HIV and AIDS.