World AIDS Day 2021

As our nation continues to struggle with the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and comes to grips with a history of injustice toward African Americans, Latinx, people of other races, women, and members of the LGBTQIA community, this year’s World AIDS Day theme is especially significant: “Ending the HIV Epidemic: Equitable Access, Everyone’s Voice.” This theme must not be built of hollow words recited only on December 1; they must be the fixed North Star we steer our actions by every day. They are at Vivent Health.

On World AIDS Day, at Vivent Health, we are reminded of the noble mission our organization is founded on: to be a relentless champion for people affected by HIV and do all we can to help them thrive, because we believe every person has value and should be treated with respect. This mission is why we dedicate ourselves every day to serve everyone, regardless of the color of their skin, where they live, what their gender identity is, who they love or how much, or how little, money they have. And it’s why we constantly strive to ensure the voices and needs of the people we serve are at the center of all we do. At Vivent Health our more than 12,000 patients and clients truly receive patient-centered care. I invite you to see for yourself.

Ending HIV is a goal we can achieve in our lifetime. The question is do we have the political will and societal desire to achieve this once unthinkable goal. We will succeed if we all remain committed to not only addressing the medical needs of people impacted by HIV, but also work every day to tear down the barriers to health that far too many people face—hunger and homelessness, prejudice and poverty, illness and isolation.

World AIDS Day was started in 1988 to draw attention to the ongoing HIV/AIDS epidemic globally and domestically. Today, more than 1.1 million people are living with HIV in the United States, and millions more are at-risk.