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World AIDS Day

World AIDS Day is observed on December 1 each year. It was established in 1988 and is the longest-running international day for global public health. UNAIDS, WHO, and the CDC coordinate observance activities. The 2024 campaign theme was "Collective Action: Sustain and Accelerate HIV Progress."

HIV in the United States is not distributed evenly. Black/African Americans represent roughly 12% of the U.S. population but accounted for 37% of all estimated new HIV infections in 2022 (11,900 out of 31,800) and 38% of all new HIV diagnoses (14,553 out of 37,981). Among people assigned female sex at birth, the disparity is even sharper: Black women account for 50% of all new HIV diagnoses in that group. Black men who have sex with men account for 35% of new diagnoses among MSM.

Between 2018 and 2022, HIV diagnoses among Black Americans decreased by 5%, reflecting real progress. That progress is fragile and depends on sustained access to prevention, testing, and treatment.

Three tools have fundamentally changed the HIV landscape for Black Americans. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) reduces HIV transmission risk by more than 99% when taken as prescribed, yet Black Americans are significantly underrepresented among PrEP users relative to their share of new diagnoses. Antiretroviral therapy (ART), when taken consistently, makes viral loads undetectable, which means untransmittable (U=U). And routine HIV testing, which the CDC recommends at least once for everyone 13-64 and annually for those at higher risk, remains the essential entry point to all of the above.

World AIDS Day is a moment to name who is most affected in the United States and to connect people directly to the testing, prevention, and treatment resources that exist.

The data, plainly

What you can do this month

For individuals: - Get an HIV test if you have not had one in the past year. The CDC recommends at least one lifetime test for everyone 13-64, and annual testing for anyone at higher risk. Tests are fast, often free, and available at community health centers, Planned Parenthood, and through home test kits. - If you are at higher risk of HIV, ask your provider about PrEP. The medication is covered by most insurance plans and available at low or no cost through manufacturers' patient assistance programs. - If you are living with HIV, prioritize staying in care and on antiretroviral therapy. Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U) is scientifically established: people with undetectable viral loads do not transmit HIV to sexual partners. - Support Black-led HIV organizations: Black AIDS Institute and the National Black Leadership Commission on Health are two of the most prominent. - Use the CDC's Get Tested locator at gettested.cdc.gov to find a free testing site near you.

For providers: - Recommend HIV testing to every patient 13-64 who has not been tested, and annually for patients at higher risk. Opt-out testing (testing is routine unless the patient declines) increases testing rates significantly. - Prescribe PrEP to eligible Black patients proactively. Documented racial disparities in PrEP prescribing by provider race and practice type are a correctable equity gap.

Resources

Sources

  1. HIV.gov: HIV Basics -- Data and Trends and Statistics
  2. CDC: World AIDS Day
  3. CDC: Health Disparities in Black or African American People -- NCHHSTP Health Equity

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