The message of World Aids Day, to be commemorated today, is one of remembrance of deceased victims of the disease, and of hope for the future.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a blood-borne, frequently sexually transmitted disease that can progress into Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) a condition characterized by fatal immune system failure. The virus has spread internationally over the past 30 years, disproportionately affecting some communities and geographic areas.

Growing awareness of the disproportionate rate of HIV infection among transgender individuals raised the profile of the transgender community during the lead up to this year's World AIDS Day.

According to a report by the National Center for Transgender Equality, 2.6 percent of transgender individuals live with HIV—a staggering four times the rate in the general adult population. Transgender people of color are at the highest risk, with 25 percent reporting as HIV positive, compared to 2.4 percent of African Americans in the general population.

“For transgender people, World AIDS Day is a time for both quiet reflection and focused action. The truth is sobering—trans people have contracted HIV at rates four times the national average, with rates especially high among trans women and trans people of color,” said National Center for Transgender Equality Executive Director Mara Keisling in a statement. “This epidemic, made worse by harassment, violence and unemployment, spells the tragic loss of trans people around the world.”

Raising awareness of HIV prevalence and challenges in the transgender community compliments the theme of this year's event, “Getting to Zero,” focusing on the three goals of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination, and zero AIDS-related deaths.

“We must put an end to this crisis,” Keisling said. “Part of that is directing health research and resources to trans people. But the other part—the important part is fixing the conditions that force trans people into unhealthy outcomes.”

The organizers have also launched HIVAware, an informational site intended to extend HIV/AIDS the educational momentum behind World AIDS day beyond Thursday.

President Barack Obama is scheduled to speak Thursday at a ONE Campaign event titled “The Beginning of the End of AIDS.”

The first World AIDS Day was held in 1988, after several years of planning by the World Health Organization's Global Programme on AIDS. Since 1996, the event has been organized and promoted by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS.