The World AIDS Day was yesterday on December 1st, a day that is dedicated in raising the awareness of the AIDS pandemic around the globe. And we can see that here in Taiwan, even our own museum has joined in on the effort, by having the huge Red Ribbon around the building. And currently, what is worrying our nation is that more and more young adults are getting infected by this deadly disease because of unsafe sex.

Hundreds of students wore red and white T-shirts and joined hands in formation on December 1st to mark World AIDS Day.

According to Centers for Disease Control statistics, Taiwan's HIV-positive population recently surpassed 20,000. Most patients are between the ages of 20 and 29, and 40% are students.

In other words, the average age of AIDS patients in Taiwan has plummeted in recent years, despite the number of AIDS awareness events held in Taiwan every year.

Experts say that the infection rate is related to income levels, and that awareness programs are limited by social prejudice against HIV-positive patients, drug users, and the gay community.

Civic groups are calling on parents to pay more attention to their children's daily lives as well as urging youths to practice safe sex and stay away from drugs.