City of Urbana and Urbana Sister Cities Go "Red" for AIDS Awareness Day

The City of Urbana in cooperation with the Urbana Sister Cities program went "red" on December 1, 2010 to help raise awareness of World AIDS Day.  According to Avert.org, between 11 and 17 percent of the Malawi population are living with HIV and AIDS the leading cause of death in the country, which has contributed to the average life expectancy in Malawi being just 43 years. However in recent years, increased awareness of the epidemic has led to successful prevention and education programs; the Malawian government and the international community have also implemented treatment plans for those already affected.

To watch WICD news coverage, visit: http://www.wicd15.com/newsroom/top_stories/videos/vid_3442.shtml

Daily Illini coverage: http://www.dailyillini.com/blogs/cu-in-the-news/2010/12/01/urbana-city-building-to-support-red-raise-awareness-of-aids

 Above: Urbana City Hall goes "red" to raise awareness of World AIDS Day. Photos courtesy of Dennis Roberts.

Want to learn more? Visit:

U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services: http://www.aids.gov/world-aids-day/ 

HIV & AIDS in Malawi: http://www.avert.org/aids-malawi.htm

World AIDS Campaign: http://www.worldaidscampaign.org/

Landmarks around the world turning RED: http://blog.joinred.com/2010/11/join-us-in-lighting-global-landmarks.html