5 Things to Know About 2025 World AIDS Day

The start of December brings an annual moment of reflection, solidarity, and hope in the global response to HIV/AIDS. World AIDS Day was first observed in 1988, just seven years after the epidemic began. The day helps to boost awareness, support affected communities, and encourage compassion for people living with HIV, especially within the LGBTQ+ community.Across the world, people come together to honor progress in treatment and prevention, challenge stigma, share knowledge, and remember the loved ones we’ve lost.

Here are five things to know about 2025 World AIDS Day.

What Is 2025 World AIDS Day?

Held on Dec. 1 every year since 1988, Worlds AIDS Day focuses on HIV and AIDS awareness, global advocacy, and remembrance of the millions of lives lost. More than 3.8 million people currently live with the virus across the globe, including over 8,000 in Travis County. A total of 38,000 new diagnoses were found in 2022.

What Are the Stats On HIV/AIDS In Travis County?

According to an AIDSVu study from 2023, over 8,000 people are living with HIV in Travis County, meaning there are about 423 cases per 100,000 people—according to the last census in 2020, Travis County has a population of 2.3 million people.

According to that same study, Austin’s prevalence and new diagnosis rates for HIV are higher than the national average.

How Is Central Health Helping With HIV/AIDS Awareness and Treatment?

For 35 years, Central Health’s David Powell Health Center has screened, diagnosed, and provided treatment for thousands of patients with HIV and AIDS in Travis County, not to mention a 10-county radius through the Austin Health Service Delivery Area.

Central Health, in fact, has taken a leading approach to reducing stigma in HIV care. In 2018, the Central Health Policy Council approved a five-year HIV screening campaign that was adopted by five health care systems over a period ending in 2023. By the conclusion of that campaign, HIV screening rates for patients enrolled in the Medical Access Program (MAP) and MAP Basic were found at 64% higher than the state average and 84% greater than the national average.

The David Powell Health Center remains a beacon for HIV/AID care in Central Texas and provides resources, treatment, and care for thousands of people each year.

What Is Travis County’s Focus on HIV/AIDS?

In 2018, Austin/Travis County joined the Fast Track Cities Initiative, a global campaign of more than 380 cities which spreads awareness through programs and initiatives and works to bring new transmissions of HIV/AIDS down. Its ultimate goal is to work toward zero new HIV infections, zero AIDS-related deaths, and to eliminate HIV/AIDS stigma.

Fast-Track Cities was born in Paris on World AIDS Day in 2014. In 2018, Austin committed to achieving a 95-95-95 target, which means diagnosing 95% of people living with HIV in Travis County, providing anti-retroviral treatment (ART) for 95% of those people diagnosed and achieving viral suppression of 95% of people on ART.

How Can I Get Involved?

In 1991, the HIV/AIDS epidemic was given a symbol. Formed by a dozen artists, the universal red ribbon is meant to symbolize unity and compassion for those living with the virus. On World AIDS Day, you can wear a red ribbon.

You might also consider a donation to the Friends of the David Powell Clinic, a 501c3 nonprofit in Travis County which raises and distributes funds to help people living with HIV/AIDS find primary medical care and comprehensive social services.