The United States is not commemorating World AIDS Day this year as it has done for decades in the past.

The commemoration has been marked every Dec. 1 since 1988. The day is meant to raise awareness of efforts to fight the deadly disease and remember those died from it.

Globally, about 39.9 million people are living with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, including about 1.2 million people in the United States. In the U.S., about 13% of people who have HIV don't know it — one driver of the virus' continued spread.

Observance of the day was started by the World Health Organization, from which the Trump administration withdrew this year. However, it has expanded beyond WHO to organizations and communities around the world.

"An awareness day is not a strategy. Under the leadership of Presid

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