While advances in antiretroviral drugs have made human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) a manageable chronic disease, experts point out that social awareness remains stagnant.

Amid the reality that the suicide risk among infected individuals in Korea is nearly twice as high as among non-infected individuals, academia, patient groups, and industry have joined forces to end the discrimination.

Medical professionals, HIV organizations, industry, and academia have united to end discrimination against people living with HIV, launching the ‘RED Period Consultative Body’ and holding a roundtable discussion on the 10th.

The event featured speakers and panelists from various sectors who highlighted the persistent stigma and prejudice faced by people with HIV despite advances in treatment technology, emphasizing the need for improved awareness and policy support.

The RED Period Campaign derives its name from the red ribbon symbolizing AIDS, embodying the meaning of putting an end to prejudice.

Professor Beom-sik Chiin of the Infectious Disease Division at the National Medical Center, who presented at the event, emphasized the need for a fundamental shift in perception of the disease under the theme ‘Proposals for Ending Social Prejudice/Stigma in Line with Scientific Advances in the HIV Treatment Environment’.

According to Professor Chin, advances in antiretroviral therapy (ART) mean that with early diagnosis and treatment, people living with HIV now have an average life expectancy similar to that of non-infected individuals.

When medication suppresses viral activity to the point where HIV is undetectable in blood tests, the risk of transmission to others is also eliminated. This signifies that HIV is now a manageable and preventable chronic disease.

However, social perceptions still lag behind scientific progress, hindering the quality of life for people living with HIV.

An analysis of five-year mortality rates among individuals diagnosed with HIV in Korea in 2017 revealed that people living with HIV had a 1.84 times higher risk of death by suicide compared to those without HIV.

Professor Chin stated, “Letting aside situations like being refused surgery in medical settings, people living with HIV still experience frustration due to HIV. I hope we can put an end to this by educating and promoting that safe medical care is possible if access to post-exposure prophylaxis is strengthened and implemented and promote the availability of financial support measures.

He further noted, “Overcoming the deep-rooted stigma associated with the term ‘AIDS’ won't be easy. A starting point could be changing legal terminology, such as replacing ‘AIDS Prevention Act’ with alternative terms in public domains. This could minimize prejudice and stigma within institutional frameworks.”

The findings of the ‘2025 National Survey on HIV Awareness,’ conducted by the LGBTQ+ rights organization Sinnaneun Center and Korea Research, were also released at the meeting.

This survey, targeting 3,000 people nationwide, consisted of questions regarding ▲ awareness and understanding of HIV disease ▲ quantitative data on social misunderstandings and prejudice ▲ public perception of institutional support programs for HIV.

The survey results showed that while 8 out of 10 people had heard of HIV, only 25% demonstrated sufficient awareness to distinguish between HIV and AIDS.

Furthermore, only 13% of all respondents believed Korean society holds an open and inclusive attitude toward HIV, while 80% of respondents stated that improving HIV awareness in Korean society is necessary. Notably, 81% agreed on the need for active government policy support to reduce HIV infections.

Professor Chin stated, “The most notable aspect of this survey is that members of our society themselves keenly recognize the lack of an open and inclusive attitude toward HIV.” He added, “I am confident that the survey results will serve as a crucial driving force for promoting activities to end prejudice and stigma surrounding HIV, alongside solid support for government policy support.”

Following Professor Chin, Professor Jong-hyuk Lee of Kwangwoon University’s Department of Media & Communication introduced the campaign’s purpose and significance, emphasizing the need to build a healthier society by eradicating prejudice.

The Red Period Campaign is not a one-off event but a long-term awareness project aimed at eliminating stigma around HIV. The council plans to lead continuous online and offline activities to engage broad sectors of society in collaboration.

Finally, Dr. Tae-hyung Kim, Planning Director of the Korean Society for AIDS, said, “The Red Period campaign is a promise to end discrimination and stigma against people with HIV, and to build a society where everyone has equal access to treatment and prevention. HIV is no longer a target of stigma—it is a manageable chronic disease. We hope this message will reach both the public and the medical community, and that our efforts will contribute to Korea’s national goal of reducing new HIV infections by 50% by 2030.”