DES MOINES, Iowa — During World Aids Day people gathered at the Iowa State Capital to commemorate their loved ones and speak on the importance of ending the stigma.

World AIDS Day has been celebrated every year on December 1st since 1988 and raises awareness for the AIDS pandemic that impacts millions every year. Caused by HIV, the goal is to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) round 630,000 people died from HIV-related causes in 2023 and, as of 2023, 39.9 million people live with HIV globally.

Sarah Wignall works for Primary Health Care as the prevention services manager and spoke about the importance of educating people about HIV and ending the stigma around the disease.

“Unfortunately, we still see a lot of stigma around HIV,” said Wignall. “We do a lot of work to fight the stigma and just remind people that it, the diagnosis doesn’t define who you are. You can live a long, healthy life with HIV.”

The focus isn’t only on improving the stigma around those living with HIV, but also the health and lifestyles of those impacted.

“You can take a pill, one pill a day. It’s all, it’s not five, you know, it used to be a cocktail of pills and made people really sick,” said Wignall. “Today’s medication is one pill, and we don’t see a ton of side effects from it.”

Michael Miller has been living with HIV for over 30 years and spoke at today’s event about his experience.

“I almost died from it. In fact, they had given me only a few months to live, but miraculously through medicines that fought off both the HIV and lowered it in my body and then strengthened my lungs,” said Miller. “Those medicines, miraculously, I’m here.”

Miller has lost loved ones to the disease and continues to spread awareness and fight the stigma every day.

“I am a true believer that we’re all put on this planet for a reason. And that’s why I speak out about my status and why hopefully it will help other people who are living with it to be strong and not to be ashamed of who they are,” said Miller. “To be brave, and to know that there is help out there for them.”

After the event the group lead a walk from the Iowa State Capital to the Blazing Saddle where the discussion about AIDS awareness continued.

To learn more about World AIDS Day and the World Health Organization’s mission click here.