States in the "Deep South" including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas continue to face some of the highest rates of HIV in the nation. #SHAAD

Southern HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (SHAAD) is recognized each year on August 20. This day shines a light on the disproportionate impact of HIV across the Southern United States. #SHAAD

In 2022, the South accounted for 52% of all new HIV diagnoses, and in 2024, the South had the lowest PrEP-to-Need Ratio. Among Southerners, these disparities are especially high among Black and Hispanic communities.

#SHAAD #HIV

A screenshot of a blurb from Georgia Equality's newsletter. At the top is the Southern HIV/AIDS Awareness Day logo of the southeastern states wrapped in the red HIV ribbon. In bold text reads the header, "Southern HIV/AIDS Awareness Day" Below reads, "This month, August 20 will mark Southern HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, a day devoted to calling attention to the disproportionate number of people living with HIV in the south. This disparity is caused by a number of factors– including systemic inequality, stigma, and misinformed policies. In the South, we know how to hold pain and possibility in the same breath. We are the region most burdened by HIV, yet also the heartbeat of resilience, care, and cultural power. Southern HIV/AIDS Awareness Day isn’t just a date. It’s a declaration. A declaration that Black, Brown, queer, trans, rural, and working-class people in the South deserve access to life-saving prevention and treatment. That stigma must die before our people do. That silence is not an option when systems keep failing us. We honor the voices of those we’ve lost and fight for the futures still here. Because we’re not waiting for change to come South. We are the change—loud, unyielding, and already here."

As our HIV Policy Manager, Kayla Quimbley-Young, wrote:

"In the South, we know how to hold pain and possibility in the same breath. We are the region most burdened by HIV, yet also the heartbeat of resilience, care, and cultural power."

#SHAAD #STEPInSolidarity #HIVInTheSouth

Southern HIV/AIDS Awareness Day 2025: Look to the Future On this year’s SHAAD, Southern advocates continue to fight injustice, discrimination and HIV—and they look to the future ahead in 2030.

Today is Southern HIV/AIDS Awareness Day in the US (#SHAAD).

"It’s a time to make your voice heard as you fight against #HIV & health inequalities in the South—while you also raise awareness of the epidemic, advocate for needed resources & work to end injustice." via @pozmagazine.bsky.social

8/20 is Southern HIV/AIDS Awareness Day #SHAAD. There is an urgent need to bring awareness to the #HIV epidemic in the South. Systemic barriers to care & under-utilization of #PrEP impact #women in higher numbers. Learn more from our partners @SouthernAIDSCoalition
👉 southernaidscoalition.org/shaad/

This Southern HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, speak out to end HIV criminalization by promoting accurate information and uplifting our communities. Let’s root out the stigma in our laws! Visit southernaidscoalition.org & until.org to learn more! #SHAAD #UntilTheresACure

Hispanic individuals accounted for 26% of new HIV diagnoses in 2022, yet made up just 19% of PrEP users in 2024.

#SHAAD

HIV disproportionately impacts Black and Hispanic individuals in the South. In 2022, Black individuals represented nearly half (48%) of all new HIV diagnoses but accounted for only 23% of Southern PrEP users in 2024. 

#SHAAD

In 2022, the South had the highest poverty rate and the lowest median household income in the U.S., further contributing to the region’s HIV burden.

#SHAAD

Social determinants of health, such as poverty, lack of health insurance coverage, housing instability, and systemic racism, drive inequities in HIV prevention, testing, treatment, and care.

#SHAAD

"In 2022, the South accounted for 52% of all new HIV diagnoses, despite only representing 38% of the U.S. population. That same year, 14% of people living with HIV in the South were unaware of their HIV status. In 2024, the South had the lowest PrEP-to-Need Ratio (PnR) in the country.

#SHAAD

#SHAAD

Today is Southern HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. The day raises awareness for the ways that HIV has burdened the South, particularly the Deep South (AL, FL, GA, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN, and TX). Our region is plagued by higher instances of HIV and lower usage of PrEP.

Today is Southern HIV/AIDS Awareness Day #SHAAD

It was created to address the unique challenges facing The South, particularly the Deep South. This region experiences higher rates of HIV along with lower PrEP use.

The reason… poverty, systemic racism, lack of health coverage, and stigma.

Today is Southern HIV/AIDs Awareness Day. People in the south are less likely to be tested or seek treatment because they don't know they have HIV. Look into local health departments to get tested and help stop the spread. Together we can end HIV. #hivawareness #pflag #pipflag #shaad

A rapid HIV self-test puts the power in your hands! It provides results in just 20 minutes in the privacy of your own space. Learn more about HIV self-tests: bit.ly/CDC_TTMH

#StopHIVTogether #SHAAD

Sadly those "peak powers" don't include singing live
#charlixcx #glastonbury #glasto #brat #bbc @guardian #Shaad D'Souza
All you need to know - live! - @ thebeginnersguides.net