Spain Launches 'VIVA LA VIHDA' Campaign Amid Rising HIV Diagnosis Rates in 2024
Spain launches its 2025 World AIDS Day campaign amid higher-than-average HIV diagnosis rates, emphasizing prevention and anti-discrimination.
- • Spain reported 3,340 new HIV diagnoses in 2024 with a rate above the EU average.
- • Half of the cases were diagnosed late; sexual transmission remains the main mode.
- • Over 40,000 people are enrolled in PrEP programs since 2019 to prevent HIV.
- • The 2025 "VIVA LA VIHDA" campaign highlights achievements and ongoing challenges in fighting discrimination and HIV spread.
Key details
On December 1, 2025, Spain marked World AIDS Day by launching its 2025 awareness campaign titled "VIVA LA VIHDA," led by Minister of Health Mónica García. The campaign underscores significant achievements and persistent challenges related to the Social Pact on combating HIV-related discrimination, which began in November 2018.
Spain reported 3,340 new HIV diagnoses in 2024, translating to a rate of 6.95 per 100,000 inhabitants—higher than the EU average. Notably, half of these cases were diagnosed late, with sexual transmission remaining the primary route, especially among men who have sex with men. Additionally, for the first time, the number of new HIV infections among people born outside Spain surpassed those among native-born individuals.
Minister García highlighted that eliminating stigma and discrimination is crucial to controlling the HIV epidemic, as these factors worsen health inequalities and facilitate disease spread. Since November 2019, over 40,000 people have accessed Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), a preventive treatment pivotal in reducing infections and requiring HIV testing before initiation. Efforts continue to expand PrEP availability in pharmacies to improve access.
The campaign also reflects on comprehensive prevention strategies, including primary, secondary, and tertiary interventions supported by universal healthcare access. The Minister stressed the importance of a strong political commitment to uphold human rights and public health initiatives, aiming to eradicate AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. The World AIDS Day event featured contributions from sectors such as culture and science, culminating with a manifesto reading from the State Coordinator of HIV and AIDS (CESIDA).
In summary, while Spain’s HIV diagnosis rates remain above the EU average, ongoing prevention programs and the new "VIVA LA VIHDA" campaign seek to reinforce awareness, reduce late diagnoses, combat discrimination, and promote universal access to healthcare and prevention tools like PrEP as part of its broader 2030 AIDS elimination goal.
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
