2024 State of HIV Stigma Report

Southern Spotlight

In 2021, the South accounted for more than half (52%) of new HIV diagnoses. In partnership with the Gilead COMPASS Initiative and in response to the Southern HIV epidemic, GLAAD and Gilead have been partners since 2019 in this important work to reduce HIV stigma, and understand comfortability, media exposure, and trends related to HIV stigma. In our fifth year of the State of HIV Stigma report we look at not only the trends in the United States as a whole, but in the Southern U.S.. Below are observed changes in the data in the Southern U.S.

Estimated HIV Diagnoses in the US by Region, 2021

Among people aged 13 and older

Estimated HIV diagnoses in the US by region, 2021
Source: CDC; Estimated HIV incidence and prevale in the US 2017–2021. HIV Surveillance Supplemental Report 2023

Knowledge of HIV is Stable in the Southern U.S.

Knowledge of HIV is stable in the Southern U.S.

Comfortability in the South is Stable

Comfortability interacting with a doctor, dentist, or medical professional living with HIV has increased.

Comfortability in the South is stable

Decreases Seen in the Belief that Stigma Around HIV still Exists in the South and the Midwest

There has been a significant decline in the belief that stigma around HIV still exists over five years in the Southern U.S., from 87% in 2020 to 82% in 2024. The South and Midwest are the only two regions to see a statistically significant decline.

Decreases seen in the belief that stigma around HIV still exists in the South and the Midwest

People Living with HIV Can and Do Lead Long, Healthy Lives

There has been a significant decrease in Americans in the Southern U.S. agreeing that people living with HIV can lead long, healthy lives today, from 89% in 2020 to 82% in 2024.

People Living with HIV Can and Do Lead Long, Healthy Lives

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