The Brazilian football star Ronaldo de Assis Moreira has reaffirmed his commitment to the AIDS response by strongly urging young people to get tested for HIV. He is lending his support to ProTest HIV, a UNAIDS-supported initiative that encourages HIV testing and linkage to necessary health-care services.

The importance of increasing the involvement of young people in the AIDS response was discussed when Ronaldinho met the UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director, Luiz Loures, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on 18 August.

Of the almost 37 million people living with HIV today, almost half are unaware of their status.