The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health will mark the 38th annual World AIDS Day on December 1. In recognition of this year’s global theme “Overcoming Disruption, Transforming the AIDS Response” Public Health is partnering with iconic landmarks across the County that will be illuminated in red to reflect solidarity and raise awareness.
These landmark buildings join Public Health to honor those impacted by HIV/AIDS, reinforcing a shared commitment to keeping services accessible, affordable, and grounded in equity. The illumination of landmarks is a powerful demonstration of unity and a visual reminder of the county’s collective action in combatting this disease.
“We honor the strength of those living with HIV/AIDS and all who work tirelessly to provide HIV prevention and support for our community,” said Dr. Barbara Ferrer, Ph.D., M.P.H., M.Ed., Director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. “While recent federal funding reductions present challenges to the essential services needed by individuals living with and affected by HIV/AIDS, we will continue to work with our partners to protect HIV/AIDS prevention, testing, and treatment services for all people who live in Los Angeles County.”
Approximately 56,000 people with HIV live in Los Angeles County and an estimated 1,400 new HIV infections are reported each year. More cases are seen among gay men, African Americans, Latinx, and transgender individuals. Latinx people with HIV and young people with HIV are disproportionately unaware of their HIV-positive status. Among women with HIV in Los Angeles County, a disproportionate number of cases are found among Black and transgender women. Various factors drive these inequities and require ongoing partnership and shared commitment to combat the disease. Public Health encourages everyone to learn more about HIV, know their HIV status, and, if appropriate, access free and low-cost, life-saving HIV medications and services.
Participating landmarks that will light up in red include:
- BMO Stadium
- Cal State Northridge Library
- Capitol Records
- Los Angeles City Hall
- Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
- Los Angeles Union Station
- Natural History Museum of LA County
- Paramount Studios Water Tank
- The Queen Mary
- The Rose Bowl
- Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
Public Health collaborates with diverse community partners to implement community-driven outreach, prevention, and education, community-based HIV/STD testing, linkage to care, intensive street-based case management, and clinic-based services.
“To advance HIV prevention and care, we need to keep working closely with our community partners and leaders at every level to remove barriers and make essential clinical and social services easier to access,” said Dr. Sonali Kulkarni, Medical Director, Division of HIV and STD Programs. “The landmarks lighting red on World AIDS Day reflects that shared commitment and remind us that when the care and support people rely on are within reach, everyone benefits.”
World AIDS Day raises awareness about HIV/AIDS, celebrates progress against the disease, and honors and supports impacted communities. Globally, an estimated 88.4 million people have acquired HIV since the start of the epidemic. Almost 40 million people around the world are currently living with HIV, and over 42 million people have died from AIDS-related illness since the start of the epidemic. In 2023, globally, approximately 630,000 people died from HIV and an estimated 1.3 million people became newly infected with HIV.
To learn more about HIV and STDs and locate testing, services, and resources, visit getprotectedla.com and the Division of HIV and STD Programs website.
