When was the last time you thought about HIV—or even heard someone talk about it? In the decades since the height of the epidemic, science has evolved and treatments have advanced to the point that many consider HIV a problem of the past. But despite the progress, the epidemic is far from over.
When it comes to ending HIV, the availability of effective treatment and prevention options isn’t enough. We also have to tackle what keeps people from getting care—barriers like access, cost, and the stubborn stigma that still makes HIV hard to talk about.
This World AIDS Day (December 1), the theme is “Overcoming Disruption, Transforming the AIDS Response.” It speaks to the current environment and the challenges facing the world as we seek to end the HIV epidemic. It is also a challenge that asks what it will look like when—based on the facts, science, and community—we collectively move forward in the right direction to end the HIV epidemic once and for all.
Ending HIV Goes Beyond Medicine
That’s where ViiV Healthcare comes in. As a pharmaceutical company solely focused on HIV, their work goes beyond developing groundbreaking medications. ViiV Healthcare partners directly with local organizations, advocates, and creatives to help make HIV education, treatment and prevention part of the everyday conversation — not just the clinical one. ViiV puts major emphasis on community engagement, advocacy, and developing cultural initiatives. Initiatives like these that resonate with the groups most disproportionately impacted by HIV are key.
“We can’t talk about ending HIV without talking about the people behind the numbers. True progress happens when we center community voices and create spaces where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued,” said Randevyn Piérre, Head of US External Affairs at ViiV Healthcare.
By supporting community-led efforts and giving a platform to real stories, ViiV Healthcare is helping bridge the gap between innovation and impact. The goal? To replace stigma with understanding, turn awkward silences into honest conversations about HIV, and make sure everyone can access the care they need.
It’s about meeting people where they are and reshaping how HIV is talked about, taught, and treated.
Breaking Stigma to Change Hearts and Minds
Stigma remains one of the most powerful obstacles in the fight to end HIV. It shapes how people are treated and, whether they feel safe enough to seek testing or care.
ViiV Healthcare partners with community-based organizations nationwide that prioritize anti-stigma work at the center of their missions. By supporting initiatives that make HIV education visible and culturally relevant, it’s possible to transform public understanding and reduce the fear-based narratives that have persisted for decades.
“In our communities, conversation is power. The more we talk openly about HIV, whether it’s at the barbershop or at home, the more we replace shame with understanding and fear with empowerment,” noted DaShawn Usher, Executive Director and Founder, MOBI. “With support from ViiV Healthcare, we’re able to expand our platform to help our communities take ownership of their health and wellness.”
Normalizing conversations about HIV prevention and treatment is key to progress and opens the door for more people to learn, ask questions, and take informed action. When we change the way communities talk, listen, and show up for each other, we move closer to ending HIV.
Connection to Care: From Testing to Prevention or Treatment
These vital conversations open the door to actively engaging in one’s health, which is the cornerstone of effective HIV prevention and treatment. When individuals feel safe, informed, and supported, they’re empowered to navigate their health with confidence. Education and access are the heartbeat of prevention. From knowing your status to exploring long-acting PrEP or treatment options, information saves lives.
ViiV Healthcare’s innovations are driven by the same principle that’s guided the HIV movement from day one — that HIV care should meet the diverse needs of the communities it serves. ViiV Healthcare leads with that philosophy, pioneering long-acting treatment and prevention options that fit into real people’s lives.
Looking Ahead: Hope, Progress, and a Shared Vision
So, what will it take to end the epidemic for good? The story of the fight against HIV in America is one of resilience, innovation, and, most importantly, community.
Every milestone in the fight against HIV has come from the power of community: from those who spoke up against stigma and demanded better care for all. That same energy is driving what comes next. We’re closer than ever to ending HIV, but getting there requires all of us. That means companies like ViiV continuing to innovate and lead. It also means individuals testing for HIV regularly, staying informed, and keeping conversations about prevention and care in the open.
This World AIDS Day, let’s commit to change. Get tested. Have open conversations. Support the organizations doing the work. And learn more about how ViiV Healthcare is partnering with communities to build a world free of HIV at www.HIVPreventionForUs.com and ViiVHealthcare.com/en-us/.