HIV Awareness
Days in the
United States

First observed in 1999 during Black History Month, NBHAAD was created as a community-driven national response to the alarming and disproportionate impact of HIV on Black and African American communities.^[3]

Black Americans represent roughly 12% of the U.S. population but account for approximately 38–40% of new HIV diagnoses each year.^[3] This day centers education, testing, and treatment while challenging the structural racism and stigma that drive these disparities.

Observed annually since approximately 2022, this day grew out of a decades-long national movement to reform or repeal outdated HIV criminalization laws — many written in the 1980s and 1990s that do not reflect modern science.

Dozens of U.S. states still have laws that criminalize HIV exposure, nondisclosure, or transmission — even when the risk of transmission is negligible or nonexistent.^[4] These laws harm people living with HIV, deepen stigma, and discourage testing.

Established by the HHS Office on Women's Health and observed annually since 2005, NWGHAAD falls during Women's History Month and marked its 20th anniversary in 2025.^[5]

Women — particularly Black and Latina women — are significantly impacted by HIV yet are often left out of public conversations. This day highlights the unique barriers women face in HIV prevention, testing, and treatment, including domestic violence and healthcare access.

Established through a collaborative effort led by the Albuquerque Area Indian Health Board, the National Native HIV Network, and the Indian Health Service.^[6] Falls on the spring equinox — a date of cultural significance for many Indigenous communities.

American Indian and Alaska Native communities face elevated HIV rates compounded by limited healthcare infrastructure on many reservations and significant health disparities rooted in systemic inequity. This day promotes culturally grounded HIV responses.

Inaugurated at the 2012 International AIDS Conference in Washington, D.C. by youth advocates, NYHAAD has been officially observed every April 10 since 2013, organized by Advocates for Youth.^[7]

Young people aged 13–24 account for roughly 19% of new HIV diagnoses in the U.S.^[7] Today's youth have grown up entirely within the HIV epidemic but often receive inadequate HIV education. This day amplifies youth voices and demands youth-centered HIV programs.

Created to spotlight HIV within transgender and gender-nonbinary communities, who face some of the highest HIV rates in the country, and observed annually on April 18.

Transgender women, particularly Black and Latina trans women, face extraordinarily high rates of HIV.^[8] Structural factors — discrimination in healthcare, housing insecurity, poverty, criminalization of sex work — all contribute. NTHTD focuses on connecting trans people to affirming, stigma-free HIV care.

Observed annually on May 18 since 1998, established by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). It commemorates the first human HIV vaccine trial, which began in 1987.^[9]

A safe and effective HIV vaccine remains one of the most important tools needed to end the epidemic. This day recognizes the dedication of thousands of volunteers, researchers, and scientists working toward that goal and builds public understanding of the science.

Founded by the Banyan Tree Project and observed since 2005, this day falls during Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.^[10] The date may vary slightly by year but is observed in mid-May.

HIV-related stigma within many AAPI communities is particularly acute, often tied to cultural norms around sexuality and family reputation. Low testing rates mean HIV is frequently diagnosed late in AAPI individuals. This day builds culturally appropriate HIV prevention resources.

Observed annually on May 19 since 2012, established under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' 2011 Action Plan for the Prevention, Care, and Treatment of Viral Hepatitis.^[18]

Hepatitis testing belongs on an HIV calendar because HIV and viral hepatitis share transmission routes, and coinfection is common. Roughly 21% of people living with HIV in the U.S. are coinfected with hepatitis C, and coinfection accelerates liver disease.^[18] Modern hepatitis C treatment is curative for most people — but only if they know they have it.

June 5 marks the anniversary of the CDC's first published report of what would become known as AIDS in 1981.^[11] Long-Term Survivors Awareness Day honors those who have lived with HIV for decades — and who are often overlooked by both medicine and advocacy.

Long-term survivors face unique challenges including co-morbidities, social isolation, survivor's guilt, PTSD, and aging-related complications of long-term antiretroviral therapy. This day insists their lives and experiences must be centered in HIV policy and research.

Observed annually on June 8, timed to coincide with Caribbean American Heritage Month. Created to address the specific and often undercounted HIV burden within Caribbean American communities living in the United States.^[12]

Caribbean-born individuals face elevated HIV risk shaped by language barriers, immigration status concerns, lack of culturally appropriate services, and stigma within Caribbean communities where HIV remains highly taboo. This day promotes testing and care access in these communities.

Launched in 1995 by the National Association of People with AIDS (NAPWA), National HIV Testing Day has grown into one of the most widely recognized HIV awareness days in the country, with CDC and thousands of community organizations taking part.^[13]

Knowing your HIV status is foundational to everything else in the HIV response. Approximately 13% of Americans living with HIV don't know their status. Early detection leads to early treatment — which protects both individual health and community health. Test. Know. Act.

A growing awareness day observed on July 21, gaining recognition in recent years as advocates have made the case that stigma — not the virus alone — is the central driver of the ongoing epidemic.

HIV-related stigma discourages people from getting tested, disclosing their status, accessing treatment, or speaking openly. It fuels discrimination in healthcare, employment, and relationships. This day calls on individuals, institutions, and media to actively dismantle harmful assumptions surrounding HIV.

Created in 2008 by the World Hepatitis Alliance and formally adopted by the World Health Organization in 2010. Observed globally each year on July 28 — the birthday of Dr. Baruch Blumberg, who discovered the hepatitis B virus.^[19]

Globally, more than 300 million people live with chronic viral hepatitis, and many people living with HIV are coinfected with hepatitis B or C. Hepatitis-related liver disease is now one of the leading non-AIDS causes of death among people living with HIV.^[19] Preventing coinfection through vaccination, testing, and treatment is essential to long-term health for the HIV community.

Launched by the Southern AIDS Coalition to draw national attention to the unique and disproportionate burden of HIV in the American South. Observed annually on August 20 as a regional awareness day with national significance.

The South has become the epicenter of the U.S. HIV epidemic. States like Florida, Georgia, Texas, and Louisiana consistently record the highest HIV diagnosis rates in the country.^[14] Poverty, lack of Medicaid expansion, racial health disparities, and deep HIV stigma all drive this regional crisis.

First observed in 2017, this day was created by RAHMA (Reach, Access, Heal, Maintain, Advocate) to engage faith communities — churches, mosques, synagogues, and other religious institutions — in the HIV response.^[15]

Faith communities are trusted institutions in many communities most affected by HIV, particularly Black and Latino communities. Religious stigma has historically compounded HIV-related shame. This day calls on faith leaders to become advocates for HIV education and the full humanity of people living with HIV.

Observed on September 9, this day was created to bring visibility to the HIV experience of African immigrants and refugees living in the United States — a community that is often invisible in domestic HIV data and advocacy work.

African immigrants and refugees face compounding barriers to HIV care: documentation concerns, language access challenges, cultural stigma, lack of insurance, and distrust of healthcare systems. This community is an important and often underserved focus for public health outreach.

Founded by The AIDS Institute and observed on September 18 since 2008. Established in response to a growing recognition that HIV was no longer just a disease of young people — and that older Americans were being largely ignored in the HIV response.

More than half of all Americans living with HIV are now age 50 or older.^[1] Older adults face unique challenges including HIV stigma layered with ageism, late diagnosis, drug interactions with other medications, and social isolation. NHAAD advocates for age-inclusive HIV care and research.

Founded by the National Association of People with AIDS (NAPWA) in 2008. Though NAPWA closed in 2013, the day continues to be observed by HIV organizations across the country.

Gay and bisexual men — particularly Black gay and bisexual men — remain the group most affected by HIV in the United States. NGMHAAD empowers gay men to access PrEP, get tested regularly, and engage in HIV care without shame. It also honors decades of activism that transformed HIV medicine and U.S. public health policy.

Created and organized by the Latino Commission on AIDS (LCOA) and the Hispanic Federation. Falls on October 15 — the final day of Hispanic Heritage Month — and has been observed for more than a decade.

Latinx individuals account for approximately 29% of new HIV diagnoses despite representing about 19% of the U.S. population.^[16] Immigration-related fear, lack of insurance, limited Spanish-language healthcare resources, and HIV stigma within Latino communities all contribute to these disparities.