World AIDS Day is marked every year on 1 December as a global day of solidarity to raise awareness about the HIV/AIDS pandemic, support people living with HIV and remember those who have died due to AIDS-related illnesses. First observed in 1988, it is one of the earliest international health awareness days and brings together communities, health workers and policymakers around a common theme each year.
Why it matters
HIV remains a major global public health issue, with an estimated 39 million people worldwide living with the virus. Effective antiretroviral therapy (ART) means HIV can be controlled and people can live long, healthy lives, yet many still do not know their status or cannot access treatment. Stigma and fear prevent people from seeking testing and care, increasing the risk of late diagnosis and onward transmission. World AIDS Day highlights the need for free, confidential testing, lifelong treatment, prevention services and an end to discrimination against people living with HIV.
History
World AIDS Day was first observed in 1988 as the world’s attention focused on the growing HIV/AIDS epidemic and its social impact. It quickly became a key part of the global response to HIV, led by international health agencies and community organizations working together. Over time, the day’s themes have emphasized human rights, universal access to testing and treatment, and the goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat. Campaigns have shifted from fear-based messages to those that stress hope, solidarity and the power of treatment and prevention when stigma is reduced.
Key facts
Common conditions
- HIV infection
- advanced AIDS illness
- HIV-related infections
- sexually transmitted infections
- mother-to-child HIV transmission
- blood-borne HIV exposure
Who is most affected
- people living with HIV
- key populations at higher risk
- sexual partners of people with HIV
- adolescents and young adults
- pregnant women with HIV
What you can do
- learn the facts about HIV
- get tested if you have risk
- seek treatment early if positive
- support people living with HIV
- speak out against stigma and discrimination
In Bangladesh
In Bangladesh, HIV prevalence is low but rising and is concentrated among specific key populations, making targeted prevention and early diagnosis essential. The country offers free, confidential HIV testing and counselling through government hospitals and non-governmental organizations, including services that reach both the general population and higher-risk groups. On World AIDS Day, health authorities and partner organizations use campaigns, outreach events and media messages to promote voluntary testing, link people who test positive to antiretroviral therapy, and address stigma that keeps people away from services. These efforts aim to ensure that everyone who needs HIV testing, counselling and treatment can access them without fear or discrimination.
Frequently asked questions
- Is HIV curable?
- HIV is not curable, but antiretroviral therapy (ART) can control the virus effectively so that people living with HIV can lead long, healthy lives.
- Can I get a free HIV test in Bangladesh?
- Yes, confidential HIV testing and counselling is available free of charge through government hospitals and non-governmental organizations, including centres run by ICDDR,B and other partners.