December 1 is World AIDS Day. It’s been more than 30 years since the virus was first identified. This year’s theme is “Universal Access and Human Rights.”

HIV/AIDS has been back in the news recently. Researchers reported that an anti-retroviral drug shows promise in preventing the spread of the virus (see http://www.npr.org/2010/11/24/131569907/dr-fauci-optimisitic-about-hiv-drug-truvada). This follows on research for a topical gel for women which decreased the spread of the virus in subjects who participated (see http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/07/19/hiv.gel.protection/index.html). This is great news for the future!

But infection rates are still high. More than 30 million people have died as a result of the virus. On this World AIDS Day, take a moment for all the people who have passed and all the people who are living with HIV/AIDS now. We can beat this disease. A brighter future is coming!