When it comes to a global AIDS outlook, the World Health Organization recently took a lot of heat for overestimating the scope of the pandemic. Improved methodologies resulted in the agency adjusting its numbers, reducing the number of people infected to 33.2 million worldwide from 39.5 million.

But the reduction is no cause for complacency. AIDS-related afflictions remain among the leading causes of death globally, killing 2.1 million in 2007.

Today is World AIDS Day, a day devoted to educating people about this deadly disease.

Here at home, as many as 3,200 people in Hawai'i are HIV-positive, and as of June there were 2,975 cases of AIDS reported, said Nancy Kern of the Department of Health.

"World AIDS day is an opportunity to heighten awareness about this epidemic, not just in Hawai'i, but internationally as well — and hopefully to let people know that they can make a difference," Kern said.

That could include volunteering at AIDS service organizations, educating friends and family about the disease, or simply showing compassion toward those with the disease (to learn more, go to www.worldaidsdayhawaii.org).

So today, let's put the numbers aside and think instead about the faces — the mothers, the fathers, the brothers the sisters, and the children — who are fighting AIDS. For them and for the 2.5 million people expected to be infected each year, it's time to renew the passion and resources in the fight against AIDS.