Monthly Spotlight - December 2023
World AIDS Day
World AIDS Day, observed on December 1st each year, is a time for reflection, remembrance, and renewed commitment to the global fight against HIV/AIDS. The theme of World AIDS Day 2023 is 'Let communities lead,' highlighting the fact that programs and initiatives perform better when driven by the most impacted communities. It is a call to action to enable and support communities in their leadership roles.
World AIDS Day remains as relevant today as it’s always been, reminding people and governments that HIV has not gone away. By recognizing advancements in treatment, breaking down stigmas, empowering communities, fostering global collaboration, and embracing innovative prevention strategies, we move one step closer to a world free from the impact of HIV/AIDS. Let us use this day as a catalyst for continued advocacy, awareness, and action, ensuring that no one is left behind in our pursuit of a healthier, more inclusive future.
San Francisco is home to more than 15,000 people living with HIV/AIDs, and across California, there are more than 139,000 people with the disease. Each year, our local community hosts a national observance in the National AIDS Memorial Grove in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. Leaders come together from across the country for a national conversation to shine a light on the ongoing struggle to end the epidemic, progress made, and hope for the future. This year, Olympian and activist Greg Louganis shared his experience living with the virus. San Francisco and other major cities will continue to march toward the goal of zero new infections by 2025.
Sources:
30th Annual World AIDS Day National Observance (Golden Gate Park)
World AIDS Day in San Francisco: Focus on reflection, hope for the future
