June 5, 2021 marks 40 years since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's first published report of a mysterious illness that would become known as Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome or AIDS. Today, we pause to remember the more than 32 million people worldwide who have died from HIV since the start of the global epidemic, and the 38 million people currently living with HIV.

Infection preventionists were on the frontlines in healthcare facilities from the beginning of the AIDS epidemic, spreading accurate information amidst a backdrop of fear and misunderstanding. Recognizing that there was considerable anxiety among healthcare workers about the risk of occupational exposure, they educated staff and patients about disease transmission and instituted newly released universal precautions to prevent the spread of bloodborne pathogens in healthcare facilities. Those precautions became known as 'standard precautions' and remain a standard of care today.

Much progress has been made in ending the HIV epidemic, but there is more to be done. We cannot underestimate the impact of COVID-19 on HIV testing and treatment programs. In the U.S., there are an estimated 1.2 million people living with HIV, including about 162,000 people who are unaware of their status. Nearly 40% of new HIV infections are transmitted by people who do not know they have the virus. For people with undiagnosed HIV, testing is the first step in maintaining a healthy life and preventing HIV transmission. There is no cure for HIV, but with proper treatment the disease can be managed. Building on what we have learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, we must redouble efforts for HIV testing and prevention services.

The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) is creating a safer world through the prevention of infection. APIC's nearly 16,000 members develop and direct infection prevention and control programs that save lives and improve the bottom line for healthcare facilities. APIC advances its mission through patient safety, education, implementation science, competencies and certification, advocacy, and data standardization. Visit us at apic.org.

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Media contact: Liz Garman | [email protected] | 202-365-7421