World AIDS Day: December 1st

December 1, 2023, is World AIDS Day, dedicated to raising awareness of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, showing support for people living with HIV, and remembering those who lost their lives to AIDS. In the 40 years since the first described cases of HIV, tremendous achievements have been made in the global HIV/AIDS response. HIV is treatable, and there are improved preventive strategies. However, obstacles still remain before we can celebrate a world without the threat of HIV/AIDS.

Globally, about 38.4 million persons are currently living with HIV. Since the beginning of the epidemic, more than 80 million persons globally have been infected, and 40.1 million persons have died from HIV. Approximately 1.1 million (prevalence 0.3%) Americans are currently living with HIV, although 13% remain undiagnosed, and there are still more than 30,000 new HIV infections in the U.S. per year. While HIV disproportionately impacts LGBTQIA+, minorities and marginalized members of society, HIV can infect anyone. It is for this reason that USPSTF recommends that clinicians screen for HIV infection in all adolescents and adults aged 15 to 65 years old (e.g. at least a single HIV screening blood test regardless of risk factors); younger adolescents and older adults who are at increased risk of infection should also be screened.

With the support of the staff from our Infectious Diseases Department and our HIV case managers, our two infectious diseases physicians, Drs. Musmar and Johnson, provide compassionate and comprehensive medical care to approximately 300 patients living with HIV and offer effective prevention for those at increased risk of infection.