Here are the health observances and events for December.

World Aids Day – December 1

The Canadian AIDS Society (CAS) is a national coalition of over 125 community-based AIDS organizations across Canada. We are dedicated to strengthening the response to HIV/AIDS across all sectors of society, and to enriching the lives of people and communities living with HIV/AIDS.

Each World AIDS Day, the Canadian AIDS Society launches a one-day print awareness campaign. Every two hours, someone in Canada is infected with HIV. An estimated 58,000 people are living with HIV/AIDS - a 16% increase since 2002. Of these Canadians, 27% do not know they are infected with HIV/AIDS. The number of people living with HIV/AIDS in Canada continues to rise due to the fact that new infections continue to occur and HIV/AIDS treatments have improved survival.

Nearly 40% of Canadians know, or have known, someone with HIV/AIDS. We don’t always talk about it, but HIV/AIDS makes an impact in every office, in every home and on every street corner.

Society’s responses of fear, denial, stigma and discrimination have accompanied the AIDS epidemic. These responses also fuel anxiety and prejudice against the groups most affected, as well as those living with HIV or AIDS. Learn more and help break the stigma by visiting: http://www.cdnaids.ca

International Day of Persons with Disabilities- December 3

Around 10% of the world's population live with a disability. All over the world, person's with diasabilities continue to face barriers to their participation in society and are often forced to live on the margins of society. They are often denied basic rights such as equal recognition before the law, freedom of expression and opinion, the right to participate in political and public life and equitable employment opportunities.

The International Day of Persons with Disabilities calls upon individuals, employers, and all levels of government to make a renewed commitment to the principles of dignity and justice and to ensure the implementation fo the Convention of Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Learn how you can get involved at http://www.un.org