Americans found many ways to commemorate World AIDS Day on Tuesday

Americans found many ways to commemorate World AIDS Day on Tuesday. Prayer vigils in Las Vegas. Free rapid-result testing in Iowa. Even a carnival ring toss in New Mexico. But the atmosphere was hardly festive.

The disease may have evolved from a quick death sentence to an illness that can be managed. Yet AIDS experts warn that the global epidemic is still taking 2 million lives a year. They also point out the continued need for prevention and early diagnosis and the shortage of money for treatment.

UNAIDS, a United Nations program, recently reported that the number of new infections has dropped 30 percent from a peak of 3.5 million cases in 1996. But in the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently estimated that about 56,300 people a year still are newly infected -- about one person every nine and a half minutes. HIV-AIDS is an autoimmune disease, transmitted through methods such as sharing needles for intravenous drug use and some sexual practices.

"We have done a very good job of helping developing countries. Where we have not done a good job is inside the United States -- giving it attention," said Frank J. Oldham Jr., president of the National Association of People with AIDS, which represents the 1.1 million Americans with HIV and AIDS.