Since the first acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) cases were reported in 1981, human immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) has caused approximately 22 million deaths Worldwide. In the United States, approximately 400,000 persons have died, and approximately one million have been infected. However, numerous persons have avoided infection through Prevention efforts, and many lives have been prolonged through advances in treatment.

The 20th year of AIDS is a milestone in the fight against HIV/AIDS; it is a time to remember persons who have become ill and died from the disease and to reflect on the progress made in both HIV Prevention and treatment. A way to commemorate those persons who have died from AIDS is to accelerate efforts to stop HIV Transmission. Accordingly, at this milestone, CDC has outlined a new strategy to reduce further HIV infection.

The response to HIV/AIDS in the United States has demonstrated the necessity of collaboration between health officials and affected communities. Since the mid-to-late 1980s, CDC has worked with all sectors of society (e.g., state and local public health, media, business, religious, medical, and academic and community-based organizations) to inform the public about AIDS and implement Prevention efforts. These efforts evolved from public information campaigns to highly targeted community-based programs using proven behavior interventions. During this time, U.S. infection rates declined dramatically.