Thirty-three million people are living with HIV or AIDS worldwide and people on Long Island joined those around the globe to observe World AIDS Day Saturday.

More than 100 people gathered at the Union Baptist Church in Hempstead to talk about the impact of the disease on the black community. ?AIDS is rapidly rising higher in our community than any other community, particularly in the suburban county,? said Nassau Legislator Roger Corbin.

Corbin says more funding is needed to get the message out. Officials say they must figure out ways to further prevent the spread of the disease.

At the church, fact sheets were handed out to congregants along with a red awareness ribbon in hope of getting the word out that AIDS is devastating their community.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, blacks account for 49 percent of the people who get HIV and AIDS. It?s a staggering figure that many feel should be talked about openly every day.