December 1, 2023 marks 35 years of World AIDS Day. We have come a long way since 1988 in large thanks to community care and support networks, tireless advocacy, advancements in medicine and accessibility of treatment.
Many in our community have experienced tremendous, incomprehensible losses since the virus first reared its head in the early eighties. When we acknowledge the progress that has been made it is ever critical to remember the generation we lost; the dire complications from early medical interventions; the many who did not live long enough to see medicine for HIV.
It is also fundamental to recognize that HIV and AIDS have not been eradicated. That new cases of HIV are diagnosed every day despite the medical interventions like PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) and PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) available today.
The theme for World AIDS Day 2023 is Remember and Commit. As we remember the past four decades, we commit to honoring the memories of lost loved ones by ensuring we continue to care for ourselves and for one another. Through community support, advocacy, activism, and communication we can all strive to move towards a future where new cases of HIV are minimized and eliminated.
New HIV diagnoses are preventable when people have their basic needs met and when they can access care in free-of-cost or other low-barrier ways. Those with HIV also deserve quality, accessible care and support.
Here in Philadelphia, a number of resources are available such as free HIV testing, free HIV test kits, free PEP and PrEP, medical care, medical case management, counseling, support groups, and more.
Visit the links below to access these services and to learn more—
https://www.mazzonicenter.org/testing-and-prevention/hiv-and-sti-testing
https://www.galaeiqtbipoc.org/pop/
https://fight.org/programs/lax-center/
https://www.congreso.net/health-safety/esfuerzo-hiv-services/
https://elderinitiative.waygay.org/thrivers/
For additional resources, visit the Philadelphia Office of HIV Planning’s HIV Service Directory:
https://www.hivphilly.org/find-services/service-directory/