Global Health Spotlight: World AIDS Day 2025 — “My Health, My Right”

Background & 2025 Theme

World AIDS Day is observed on 1 December every year to raise awareness, commemorate those lost to HIV/AIDS, and reaffirm global commitments to end the epidemic.
According to PendulumEdu and Toppersexam:

• Theme for 2025: “My Health, My Right” — emphasizing that every individual deserves equal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care, and support.
• The theme underlines the need to address systemic inequalities, discrimination, and social barriers that restrict healthcare access for vulnerable groups.

Key Issues in the Indian Context

India has made significant progress in HIV prevention and treatment, yet critical gaps remain. The 2025 theme aligns with India’s ongoing public-health priorities:

1. Persistent Stigma and Discrimination

People living with HIV (PLHIV) continue to face social stigma, which affects testing, early diagnosis, and treatment adherence.
Reducing stigma through awareness campaigns, community engagement, and anti-discriminatory legal frameworks remains essential.

2. Access Challenges for Marginalised Communities

Groups such as sex workers, transgender persons, MSM (men who have sex with men), and migrant workers often have limited access to quality healthcare.
Ensuring inclusive, rights-based health services is crucial to achieve India’s HIV reduction targets.

3. Strengthening National Programmes

The National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) plays a central role through:

• Targeted interventions for high-risk groups.
• Awareness and behavioural change communication.
• Provision of antiretroviral therapy (ART) across public-health facilities.
• Implementation of anti-discrimination policies under the HIV/AIDS (Prevention and Control) Act, 2017.

4. Focus on Prevention & Youth Awareness

With rising risk behaviour among adolescents and young adults, schools and colleges require strengthened preventive education, early testing, and counselling.