Stigma as a Barrier to Ending AIDS: Global Findings from the Zero HIV Stigma Day 2025 Survey
1
International Association of Providers of AIDS Care, Washington, DC, United States
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
HIV stigma remains a pervasive structural barrier to care and prevention, undermining progress toward UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets. To coincide with Zero HIV Stigma Day 2025, IAPAC and partners conducted a global survey to assess experiences of stigma among people living with HIV (PLHIV) and perceptions among the general public across diverse geographies.
METHODS:
An online and community-administered survey collected responses from more than 7,800 individuals in 18 countries across North America, Latin America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. The survey included validated measures of self-stigma, societal stigma, and institutional stigma, alongside items on knowledge of the “Undetectable = Untransmittable” (U=U) message. Data were stratified by region, gender identity, age cohort, and HIV status. Qualitative input from focus groups in five Fast-Track Cities provided contextual depth.
RESULTS:
Findings reveal persistent and intersectional stigma. 48% of PLHIV respondents reported internalized stigma, including fear of disclosure. 41% reported health system discrimination, with the highest rates in sub-Saharan Africa and the Southern United States. General population respondents demonstrated low HIV knowledge, with only 37% of Gen Z respondents aware of U=U. Across all regions, stigma was amplified at intersections of race, gender identity, and migration status. Comparative analysis with 2020 data showed no significant global decline in stigma, and in some regions (e.g., Southern U.S., Eastern Europe) stigma indicators worsened. Focus groups underscored how stigma discourages HIV testing, interrupts treatment adherence, and perpetuates isolation.
CONCLUSIONS:
The Zero HIV Stigma Day 2025 survey confirms that stigma remains the most pervasive barrier to ending AIDS as a public health threat. Addressing stigma requires multi-level interventions: community mobilization, health workforce training, media accountability, and political leadership. Findings call for renewed global commitment to stigma eradication as a central pillar of the HIV response.
HIV stigma remains a pervasive structural barrier to care and prevention, undermining progress toward UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets. To coincide with Zero HIV Stigma Day 2025, IAPAC and partners conducted a global survey to assess experiences of stigma among people living with HIV (PLHIV) and perceptions among the general public across diverse geographies.
METHODS:
An online and community-administered survey collected responses from more than 7,800 individuals in 18 countries across North America, Latin America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. The survey included validated measures of self-stigma, societal stigma, and institutional stigma, alongside items on knowledge of the “Undetectable = Untransmittable” (U=U) message. Data were stratified by region, gender identity, age cohort, and HIV status. Qualitative input from focus groups in five Fast-Track Cities provided contextual depth.
RESULTS:
Findings reveal persistent and intersectional stigma. 48% of PLHIV respondents reported internalized stigma, including fear of disclosure. 41% reported health system discrimination, with the highest rates in sub-Saharan Africa and the Southern United States. General population respondents demonstrated low HIV knowledge, with only 37% of Gen Z respondents aware of U=U. Across all regions, stigma was amplified at intersections of race, gender identity, and migration status. Comparative analysis with 2020 data showed no significant global decline in stigma, and in some regions (e.g., Southern U.S., Eastern Europe) stigma indicators worsened. Focus groups underscored how stigma discourages HIV testing, interrupts treatment adherence, and perpetuates isolation.
CONCLUSIONS:
The Zero HIV Stigma Day 2025 survey confirms that stigma remains the most pervasive barrier to ending AIDS as a public health threat. Addressing stigma requires multi-level interventions: community mobilization, health workforce training, media accountability, and political leadership. Findings call for renewed global commitment to stigma eradication as a central pillar of the HIV response.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
We process personal data collected when visiting the website. The function of obtaining information about users and their behavior is carried out by voluntarily entered information in forms and saving cookies in end devices. Data, including cookies, are used to provide services, improve the user experience and to analyze the traffic in accordance with the Privacy policy. Data are also collected and processed by Google Analytics tool (more).
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
