World AIDS Day 2024 brings the global community together on December 1 to reflect on the fight against HIV and AIDS, with this year’s theme, “Take the Rights Path: My Health, My Right!”. The World Health Organization (WHO) is urging leaders and citizens worldwide to champion health equity by addressing the deep-rooted inequalities that hinder progress toward ending AIDS as a public health threat. By placing human rights at the forefront and empowering communities, the vision of eradicating AIDS by 2030 can become a reality.

Despite decades of progress, the battle against HIV remains a pressing challenge. In 2023, an estimated 39.9 million people globally were living with HIV, and approximately 630,000 lost their lives to HIV-related causes. These numbers reveal the stark disparities in access to prevention, treatment, and care, disproportionately affecting marginalized and vulnerable populations.

World AIDS Day serves as a powerful reminder of the need for collective action and advocacy. WHO calls on individuals and organizations to amplify their voices, demanding that everyone, everywhere, has the right to quality healthcare services. Addressing the social, economic, and structural barriers that perpetuate inequality is essential to building a future free from the shadow of AIDS.

This year’s campaign is more than a call to action; it is a rallying cry for justice, inclusion, and equity. By recognizing the critical intersection of health and human rights, the global community can forge a path toward a healthier and more compassionate world, ensuring no one is left behind in the fight against HIV and AIDS.