37th World AIDS Day: “Collective Action: Sustain and Accelerate HIV Progress”

The first World AIDS Day was in 1988, providing a platform to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS while honoring those impacted by the disease. Since then, it has grown into a global event that unites people around the world in the ongoing fight against HIV/AIDS.

The idea of a World AIDS Day came from James Bunn and Thomas Netter, two public information officers for the WHO. They proposed the concept as a way to raise awareness about the disease and provide a platform for solidarity with those living with HIV and those who had lost their lives to AIDS-related illnesses. Their vision was to create a day where the world could unite to address the HIV/AIDS crisis, challenge stigma, and promote education.

The theme for the 37th World AIDS Day (2024) is “Collective Action: Sustain and Accelerate HIV Progress.” This theme underscores the importance of working together to maintain the gains made in the fight against HIV and accelerate efforts to end the epidemic.

World AIDS Day serves as a critical reminder of the need to stay committed to preventing new HIV infections and ensuring that essential services are available to all individuals living with HIV globally. It is also an opportunity to reaffirm our dedication to supporting people living with HIV, eliminating stigma, and providing access to treatment, care, and prevention.

The Red Ribbon: A Symbol of Awareness and Support for HIV

The red ribbon was first devised in 1991 by a group of twelve artists who met to discuss a new project for Visual AIDS, a New York-based organization focused on raising awareness of HIV and AIDS through art. Their goal was to create a visual expression of compassion for people living with HIV.

The artists chose red for its boldness and its symbolic associations with passion, the heart, and love. The ribbon was meant to symbolize awareness while conveying deep compassion and solidarity with those living with HIV.

Since its creation, the red ribbon has become one of the most recognizable symbols for HIV/AIDS awareness around the world. It is worn by millions of people each year on World AIDS Day to show support, challenge stigma, and raise awareness of the ongoing fight against HIV/AIDS.

Ways to Get Involved on World AIDS Day

• Wear a Red Ribbon: Wearing a red ribbon is one of the simplest and most visible ways to show your support on World AIDS Day.
• Fundraising: Support organizations like the National AIDS Trust by participating in fundraising efforts aimed at supporting research, treatment, and prevention programs.
• Spread Awareness: Use your voice and platforms, such as social media, to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and support those living with the virus.
• Educate Yourself and Others: Learning more about HIV, its transmission, treatment, and prevention can help reduce stigma and promote understanding.

Joe Biden, 46th and current president of the United States:

“The AIDS Memorial Quilt was created in 1985 to honor the memory of those we’ve lost to HIV/AIDS. It started with one name on one panel – four decades later, the quilt holds 110,000 names. Yesterday, for the first time, the Quilt was on display on the White House’s South Lawn.”

António Guterres, Secretary-General of the UN:

“We will overcome AIDS if the rights of everyone, everywhere, are protected. This World AIDS Day, I call on all leaders to ensure that everyone — especially the most vulnerable — can get the services they need without fear.”

Mark Holland, Canada’s Minister of Health:

“On World AIDS Day 2024 and Indigenous AIDS Awareness Week, let’s continue to challenge the stigma and support those living with HIV. Together, we can build a healthier future for everyone.”

“Today is World AIDS Day. We’re investing £27 million in the HIV opt-out testing programme to save and improve the quality of thousands of lives. With partners, we’re developing our HIV Action Plan to reach our goal of ending new HIV transmissions by 2030.”

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the WHO:

“This World AIDS Day, we call on countries to keep human rights central in the #HIV response.

Marginalization, criminalization and discrimination against key populations has fuelled HIV transmission and cost lives.

By protecting everyone’s right to health, we can prevent new infections and achieve an AIDS-free generation.”

Geneviève Darrieussecq, Minister of Health and Access to Care, France:

“40 years of struggle and commitment against AIDS. For this World AIDS Day, I wanted to look back on the progress made thanks to the mobilization of society as a whole.”

John Nkengasong, U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator and Senior Bureau:

“PEPFAR is at a history-making moment, with 26M lives saved since 2003. Together, we can continue to save lives and ensure that we never return to the early days of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. My World AIDS Day 2024 statement.”

Mónica García, Minister of Health, Spain:

“Two out of three people are still unaware that someone with HIV and an undetectable viral load does not transmit the virus. Another 20% would be uncomfortable working with a person with HIV. We fight stigma and build a society free from discrimination.”

Nísia Trindade Lima, Minister of Health, Brazil:

“On this December 1st, World AIDS Day, I reaffirm our commitment to promoting awareness and care about HIV.

With advances in treatment, living with HIV is completely possible, and Brazil has a lot to celebrate: more than 90% of people living with HIV in the country have an undetectable virus, with no risk of transmission.

This is the case of Thais Renovatto, writer and mother, who lives with HIV and has been undetectable for 10 years, showing that information, treatment and support make all the difference.

This is a fight for all of us. HIV does not define us. We need to overcome prejudice, increase access to diagnosis and reinforce the importance of combined prevention, which includes methods such as PrEP and the use of condoms.

Testing and treatment are essential steps to taking care of yourself and protecting those we love. Find a health center, get information and take care of your health. HIV is about living, coexisting and respecting. Together, we can build a future with more inclusion and less stigma.”

Ministry of Health Eswatini:

“Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini says the Kingdom of Eswatini will endeavour to put human rights first in the fight against HIV/AIDS. The Prime Minister is speaking at Mahlangatja where the nation is commemorating World AIDS Day.

The 2024 global World AIDS Day theme, ‘Take the Rights Path’, has been localised to ‘NKWE! Eswatini taking the Rights Path to End AIDS’. The theme is a call to protect health for all by upholding human rights, particularly for people living with HIV, and key populations.

I wish to reaffirm that Eswatini shall continue to engage with this year’s theme and ensure that no one is left behind in accessing HIV prevention services, treatment, care, and support services.”

Jagat Prakash Nadda, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare and Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers of India:

“Every year, on the 1st of December, World AIDS Day is observed globally to raise awareness about the ongoing health challenge posed by HIV/AIDS and to educate individuals about the importance of precautionary measures and early testing.

This year’s theme, “Take the Rights Path,” underscores the importance of ensuring equal rights, dignity, and access to healthcare for all, with a particular focus on combating the stigma and discrimination faced by those living with or affected by HIV/AIDS.”

Ministry of Health, Italy:

“Minister Schillaci: “Thanks to the progress of science and the commitment of many professionals, today we have increasingly effective tools to prevent, diagnose and treat HIV. But we must not let our guard down.”

Federal Ministry of Health, NIGERIA:

“Today is World AIDS Day.

Together, we can ensure healthcare for all, protect children from HIV, and uphold human rights for a world free of stigma and discrimination.

Taking the right path means:

– Providing access to testing and treatment for everyone.

– Ending mother-to-child transmission.

– Empowering communities with knowledge and resources.  Every step counts in sustaining the HIV response and protecting future generations. Let’s unite to stop HIV among children and ensure a brighter, healthier tomorrow.”

European Cancer Organisation:

“This Sunday marks World AIDS Day!

Did you know that HIV causes a weakened immune system?

It puts people living with the virus at an increased risk of many types of cancer.

According to some studies:
– The risk doubles for lung cancer
– The risk is multiplied by 7 for liver cancer
– The risk is multiplied by 20 for vulvar and vaginal cancer
– The risk is multiplied by 40 for anal cancer, and 70 times for men having sexual relationships with other men
(Source: CancerVIH, Inca 2017)

Further reasons for public health policies to work together, and for vaccines that can prevent cancer to be fully deployed across Europe.”

National Cancer Instittute:

“Today is World AIDS Day. Did you know some of the earliest AIDS patient care and research was performed by NCI scientists and external researchers funded by NCI? Find out how Cancer Research led to AIDS breakthroughs.”