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World AIDS day 2021

29 November 2021

World AIDS day takes place on the 1st of December 2021. This year marks 40 years since the first reported cases of HIV-related illnesses and deaths.

Thanks to the success of anti-retroviral treatment, serious HIV related illness is now less common. The term 'AIDS' (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) is now being less commonly used and instead 'late stage' or 'advanced' HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) are the preferred terms. However, HIV remains a global public health crisis that affects millions of people worldwide.

  • Today there are an estimated 105,200 people in the UK living with HIV.
  • 98% of these people are on effective treatment and 97% can't pass on the virus.

Despite significant progress in recent decades, important global targets for 2020 were not met. COVID-19 continues to exacerbate inequities and disruptions to services, making the lives of many people living with HIV more challenging.

The theme of World AIDS Day 2021 is 'End inequalities. End AIDS'. The World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners aim to highlight the growing inequalities in accessing essential HIV services and are calling on global leaders and citizens to rally to confront the inequalities that drive AIDS and reach people who are currently not receiving essential HIV services.

The key messages and calls to action for the campaign are:

1. Re-commit to end HIV

  • Renew efforts to end HIV as a public health threat by 2030 despite persistent inequalities and challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

2. Tackle HIV and COVID-19 together

  • Confront the special challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic for people living with HIV.

3. Focus on equality

  • Ensure that everyone, everywhere has equal access to HIV prevention, testing, treatment and care, including COVID-19 vaccinations and services.

4. Concentrate on those left behind

  • WHO recommends renewing focus on countries and populations that are still missing out in the global response to HIV and AIDS, including 'key' populations of people who are at high risk.

Further information on World Aids Day campaigns can be accessed via the following links: