August 20, marks Southern HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (SHAAD) — a critical observance spotlighting the disproportionate HIV burden across the U.S. South. In 2022, Southern states accounted for over half of all new HIV diagnoses, even though the region represents just about 38% of the nation’s population. Structural factors such as poverty, limited access to health care, and systemic stigma continue to amplify these disparities—especially among Black communities. As we face ongoing

August 20, marks Southern HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (SHAAD) — a critical observance spotlighting the disproportionate HIV burden across the...