World AIDS Day: 25 years on

Source: LIFE magazine - The photo that changed the face of
 AIDS (pic by Therese Frare)

It was back in 1988 that the World Health Organization (WHO) declared to promote AIDS awareness on Dec 1 each year. Today, 25 years on, what are the results?The war on th epidemic is clearly being won, but what about battling the stigma?
We can prevent being infected, record numbers of people are being treated worldwide, yet "homophobic laws" in over 70 countries, discrimination against sex workers, people who inject drugs among other most-at-risk populations, demonstrate that there's still a long way to go.
Moreover, austerity-stricken Europe, namely Portugal due to successive budget cuts in health services, I fear, can be at risk of HIV outbreaks...
New infections are still high among adolescents though - whether in Africa (where there are still to many teenage girls with a "sugar daddy"), or in Europe, which have led to further action by Advocacy Group ONE and The Global Fund.
Below is a short video by The Global Fund to "Be the Generation to Defeat AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria" - the moment is NOW, right now!

World No Tobacco Day

Do you smoke?
Do you agree with smoke free areas? Why (not)?

Have you ever heard of World No Tobacco Day?

Since 1987, the World Health Organization (WHO) has been celebrating No Tobacco Day on May 31st, in an effort to highlight the risks of tobacco use and to advocate for effective polices to reduce consumption. Tobacco kills one in ten world wide and is the second leading cause of death globally.
"Tobacco Health Warnings" is the theme for 2009. Pictures on cigarettes packages have been an effective method of graphically showing the dangers of tobacco and are proven to motivate users to quit. Pictures work even when the smoker is unable to read.

I've chosen some ads for you to have a look at... think about them and judge for yourselves!!!!!!