On December 1, 2023, health organizations in Maine marked World AIDS Day by providing vital resources for HIV prevention and testing. This observance comes amid the state grappling with its largest HIV outbreak, particularly affecting the homeless population and individuals who use intravenous drugs. In stark contrast, the federal government, under the Trump administration, has chosen to withdraw its long-standing recognition of this significant day.
The Trump administration’s recent directive advised federal employees against using government funds to promote World AIDS Day, a decision that has drawn criticism from health leaders in Maine. They argue that such a stance represents a dangerous neglect of a public health crisis. In Penobscot County alone, there have been 30 positive HIV cases since late 2023, a striking increase from an average of just two cases per year.
Community Response and Resources
Health advocates organized resource fairs across Bangor, including one at the Unitarian Universalist Society. Here, community members accessed free resources such as at-home HIV tests, condoms, hygiene products, and PrEP, or pre-exposure prophylaxis, a medication aimed at preventing HIV infection. Olivia Pennington, the director of advocacy and community engagement at Maine Family Planning, emphasized the historical implications of sidelining HIV awareness: “We’ve seen in history what happens when the federal government refuses to acknowledge HIV and AIDS infections in our country,” she stated. “Turning away from HIV and AIDS doesn’t do anything to help treat folks.”
During the event, Gabrielle Drew, a 35-year-old Bangor resident experiencing homelessness, shared her experience of starting PrEP as cases surged in her community. “A lot of us use needles, and that’s where everyone was getting it from,” Drew explained. “Me and my boyfriend, we don’t have it and we don’t want to get it.” Her proactive approach reflects a significant trend; over 100 community members in Bangor have started PrEP in recent months, facilitated by a campaign from Needlepoint Sanctuary and Maine Family Planning.
State Health Initiatives and Challenges
Despite a recent slowdown in new cases in Penobscot County, a public health advisory was issued for Cumberland County. This alert follows the identification of five new HIV-positive residents this year, particularly among individuals who inject drugs. The Frannie Peabody Center, Maine’s largest HIV and AIDS service organization, also held a resource fair and candlelit vigil in Portland to raise awareness.
The federal government’s decision to diminish recognition of World AIDS Day coincides with proposed cuts to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s division focused on HIV prevention in the Trump administration’s 2026 budget. Jim Jarvis, president of the Maine Medical Association, noted that this silence from the federal government “comes at exactly the wrong time.”
Local leaders, including William Hurley, executive director of Needlepoint Sanctuary, stress that both local and state governments bear responsibility for the policies leading to homelessness and substance abuse, which contribute to the outbreak. The organization resumed its syringe program in October after facing restrictions due to local zoning laws.
Drew reiterated the importance of increased syringe services and access to preventive medication, stating, “HIV is going rampant right now. Better be safe than sorry, kind of thing.” The urgency of the situation has galvanized local health organizations to enhance their outreach and support efforts, aiming to combat the rising tide of HIV infections in their communities.
