Today stands as a landmark of commitment to improving public health: It’s the 22nd annual World AIDS Day. Each year, Dec. 1 is recognized and celebrated as World AIDS Day by countries all around the world. The purpose of World AIDS Day is to raise awareness about the AIDS pandemic, remember those who have died from the disease and celebrate those who are receiving treatment and living happy lives.

Though progress in prevention and treatment of the disease has improved in the past several years, the statistics surrounding it are still staggering. In 2008, it was estimated that 33.4 million adults around the world were living with HIV/AIDS. The goal of World AIDS Day is to make the entire planet aware of the statistics and encourage everyone to join in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

One of today’s worldwide celebrations is the (RED) campaign’s goal to “turn the map of the world (RED).” Thirteen countries will light up more than 80 national landmarks, turning them red. This event will begin in Sydney, Australia with the Sydney Opera House and travel west across the globe time zone by time zone, finally ending at the Los Angeles International Airport.

The goal of the campaign is to raise awareness about babies born with HIV. Though there is medicine that can prevent mothers who are HIV positive from passing the disease onto their children, roughly half a million babies were born with the disease last year, according to this year’s UNAIDS Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic. (RED)’s goal is to bring this number to zero by the year 2015 by making the proper treatment available to all pregnant women.

Another event is being carried out for World AIDS Day, by celebrities, in support of a charity co-founded by singer Alicia Keys called Keep a Child Alive. The goal of the charity is to raise money for children and families whose lives have been affected by HIV/AIDS. Celebrities are getting involved through a campaign called Digital Life Sacrifice. They will log off of all social networking sites on Dec. 1 and not get back on until $1 million has been raised for the charity. Participating celebrities include Alicia Keys, Serena Williams, Kim Kardashian, Justin Timberlake, Lady Gaga and others.

These are all large-scale examples of World AIDS Day in action around the world, but it’s important for this day to be a success on a local level as well. The University of Michigan’s Art Museum is having a Day With(out) Art event today that focuses on the effect of HIV/AIDS on the art community and the need to find a cure. There is also a discussion today on the effect of HIV/AIDS on the LGBT community at the School of Public Health. These are just a few events going on around campus to raise awareness about this important issue.

Potentially the biggest thing that each individual can do — not only on Dec. 1, but always — is ensure their personal health. Every Monday during the academic year from 6 to 8 p.m., the Spectrum Center offers free and anonymous HIV testing. Students should take advantage of this service to be knowledgeable of their sexual health. Getting tested is important for those who are sexually active, and prevention is equally important. There are a variety of University resources available at the Spectrum Center and University Health Services. Students need to use these resources to educate themselves on prevention techniques and overall sexual health.

World AIDS Day brings to light the unfortunate realities of AIDS around the world and reminds us that there is much to be done in the fight against this disease. But this day is also something to be celebrated. The fight against AIDS is finally getting support and the stigma surrounding the disease is slowly being eliminated. These efforts need to be continued beyond Dec. 1 to give hope to those suffering from AIDS that a cure will be found.

Michelle DeWitt is a senior editorial page editor.