IN PHOTOS: Celebrity HIV/AIDS awareness advocates
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While the cases of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection around the world are on a downward trend - the HIV.gov website of the United States Department of Health and Human Services notes there has been a 39 percent decline in new infections since 2010 - it is a different story here in the Philippines, as evidenced by a recent declaration from the country's Department of Health (DOH).
In a Facebook video, DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa revealed that there has been a 500 percent increase in HIV cases, especially those within the 15 to 25 age range. According to him, this makes the Philippines the country with the highest new cases in the Western Pacific region.
As such, the DOH Secretary called for a national public health emergency and called on the whole of society and government to unite in a campaign to lower the new cases of HIV in the country.
Some celebrities, however, have long been putting in the work to raise awareness and advocate for HIV and AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) awareness. Check them out in the gallery below.
