LOS ANGELES — As the world prepares to commemorate World AIDS Day on December 1, 2025, the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) announces a series of global events emphasizing the ongoing battle against HIV/AIDS. Despite decades of medical advancements, the organization highlights the sobering reality of 1.3 million new infections occurring worldwide annually, signaling that the epidemic remains a critical public health challenge.
The international observances—spanning Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas—will focus on promoting HIV prevention, testing, condom accessibility, treatment, and care. This year’s commemoration holds particular significance as AHF celebrates a major operational milestone: expanding its services to 50 countries since first launching global programs in South Africa and Uganda in 2002.
Current global statistics reveal approximately 40 million people living with HIV worldwide, with women and girls accounting for over half of those affected. Persistent stigma, discrimination, and financial barriers continue to hinder access to essential care, particularly among key vulnerable populations.
Terri Ford, AHF’s Chief of Global Advocacy and Policy, emphasized the ongoing challenges: “This World AIDS Day reminds us that the fight against HIV is far from over. Millions still face barriers to testing, treatment, and ongoing care, while stigma and high drug prices put lifesaving tools out of reach.”
The events will also address the chronic underfunding of global HIV response programs. Advocates are calling for sustained financing, including full funding for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, and challenging pharmaceutical companies to prioritize accessibility over profits.
Ford specifically criticized pharmaceutical pricing practices: “Even with prevention tools like long-acting injectables, high prices keep them out of reach for the people and countries that need them most. Innovation doesn’t matter if it isn’t accessible to all.”
The commemorations will honor those lost to AIDS-related illnesses while reinforcing the message that HIV/AIDS must remain at the forefront of national and global public health priorities. The theme “It’s Not Over” serves as both a memorial and a call to action for governments and communities worldwide to recommit resources and political will toward ending the epidemic.