World AIDS Day is celebrated on 1st December each year. This year, the theme is ‘Equalize’.
Background Information:
Although there is no cure, timely diagnosis and medical care can help control HIV.
Key Messages:
This World AIDS Day, WHO is calling on global leaders and citizens to boldly recognize and address the inequalities which are holding back progress in ending AIDS; and equalize access to essential HIV services particularly for children and key populations and their partners – men who have sex with men, transgender people, people who use drugs, sex workers, and people in prisons.
Only 52% of children living with HIV are on life-saving treatment. If we can show progress in ending new infections among children and ensuring all are on quality antiretrovirals (ARVs), we have greater hope and can ensure greater political commitment to end AIDS in all populations by 2030.
Globally, 70% of new HIV infections are among people who are marginalized and often criminalized. We can only end AIDS by scaling up HIV services and removing structural barriers & stigma and discrimination of key populations in every country.
Persistent economic, social, cultural and legal inequalities and challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and other global crisis requires renewed efforts to maintain visibility for HIV and to end AIDS as a public health threat.
Inequalities still persist for the most basic services like testing and treatment. We must ensure that everyone, everywhere has equal access to HIV prevention, testing, treatment and care.
Health services should be adapted to reach and meet the needs of populations most at risk and affected, and this includes implementing a ‘zero tolerance’ policy to stigma and discrimination in all health services.
Useful Links:
Link to World AIDS Day site:
https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-aids-day/2022
Link to WHO fact sheet on HIV/AIDS:
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