On Monday, December 1st we join partners and communities to commemorate World AIDS Day 2025, under the theme "Overcoming disruption, transforming the AIDS response," calling for sustained political leadership, international cooperation, and human-rights-centered approaches to end AIDS by 2030.
After decades of progress, the HIV response stands at a crossroads. Life-saving services are being disrupted, and many communities face heightened risks and vulnerabilities. Yet amid these challenges, hope endures in the determination, resilience, and innovation of communities who strive to end AIDS.
World AIDS Day is a time to honor the lives affected by HIV/AIDS and to renew our commitment to ending the epidemic. It is crucial to spotlight the vital role of Black voices in the fight against HIV and AIDS, as Black communities in the United States and globally remain disproportionately impacted by the epidemic. The CDC reports that Black Americans accounted for 40% of new HIV diagnoses in 2021, despite representing only 13% of the population. These disparities are exacerbated by systemic barriers such as healthcare inequities, socioeconomic disparities, and enduring stigma.
The National Black Justice Collective emphasizes the need to address the stigma and ignorance surrounding HIV/AIDS, which have historically discouraged open discussions, testing, and treatment adherence within Black communities. The NBJC also highlights the importance of culturally competent education and the demand for equity in healthcare for traditionally underserved and vulnerable folks, especially the Black LGBTQ+/SGL communities.
World AIDS Day serves as a reminder to continue the fight against HIV/AIDS and to ensure that Black communities receive the testing, treatment, care, and prevention they need. It is a time to honor the activists, medical professionals, and advocates who have worked tirelessly to advance awareness, research, and treatment.