09/26/2025
In 2008, the National Association of People with AIDS launched National Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day to recognize the disproportionate impact of the epidemic on gay men.
The observance offers an opportunity to raise awareness about stopping HIV stigma and encouraging HIV testing, prevention, and treatment for HIV among gay and bisexual men, who often face multiple challenges—such as racism, homophobia, discrimination, and stigma—which may increase the risk of HIV.
National Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NGMHAAD) aims to increase awareness of the disproportionate impact of the HIV epidemic on gay and bisexual men in the United States and encourage HIV testing, prevention, and treatment services in this population.
Gay and bisexual men accounted for 67 percent of new HIV diagnoses in the United States and dependent areas in 2022, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Within this population, disparities persist among Black and African American and Hispanic or Latino gay and bisexual men, who received more new HIV diagnoses in 2022 than gay and bisexual men in other groups. In addition, young men aged 13–24 with HIV are more likely to be unaware of their HIV status than men of different age groups. Multiple challenges—such as racism, discrimination, and stigma—contribute to these disproportionate impacts.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) HIV research program supports research to better understand and reduce HIV-related health disparities based on sexual orientation – as well as other factors such as race and ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and age. NIH-supported research also aims to increase access to HIV testing, prevention, and treatment services and encourage treatment adherence.
