Rhode Island Joins Communities Around the World in Recognizing World AIDS Week
Published on Monday, December 01, 2025
Cranston, RI—Starting today and throughout the week, the State of Rhode Island will join the global community in commemorating lives lost, highlighting prevention and testing resources, and supporting those living with HIV as part of World AIDS Week. The Rhode Island State House dome will be lit in red in honor of World AIDS Week.
“World AIDS Week is a critical time to reflect on the devastation this pandemic has caused around the world,” said EOHHS Secretary Richard Charest. “But it’s also an opportunity to highlight the innovative resources for people currently living with HIV here in the Ocean State.”
According to the Rhode Island Department of Health, the average number of new HIV cases in Rhode Island from 2015-2024 was 70 cases.
"It's essential to avoid labeling or blaming any specific group, to support those at highest risk, and to ensure all communities remain vigilant," said Director of Health Jerry Larkin, MD. "I am proud of the work that RIDOH continues to lead in innovative prevention and testing strategies that reach people where they are."
As required under the Affordable Care Act, HIV screening is covered by health insurance. For uninsured people, free testing is available at many community health centers and other locations.
"Through Medicaid, Rhode Islanders living with HIV can access prescriptions and treatment with little or no cost,” said Medicaid Director Kristin Sousa. "In particular, the Rhode Island HIV, Provision of Care & Special Populations Unit at EOHHS helps over 80 percent of the people living with HIV in the state through a variety of clinical and supportive programs.”
Key Rhode Island Prevention Initiatives and Educational Resources
- To help address the increase in HIV diagnoses, RIDOH continues to promote the Rhode Island PrEP Champions Network, which lists available PrEP services and showcases videos of trusted healthcare professionals from sexual health clinics and community health centers in every region of Rhode Island.
- Recognizing that consistent, correct use of condoms is an important part of safer sex, unplanned pregnancy prevention, and prevention of HIV and other STIs, RIDOH provides free condoms by mail to Rhode Islanders.
- RIDOH has created the TESTING 1-2-3 program to help Rhode Islanders get tested for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) without a trip to a doctor's office.
- The "Your Health, Your Choice: Know Your Options" web page at health.ri.gov/youroptions, as well as the Rhode Island Healthy Schools Coalition’s RIght To Know app created in partnership with RIDOH, feature information and fact sheets about HIV in multiple languages.
- Harm reduction vending machines placed at key locations in Rhode Island provide supplies and materials that support the health of people who use drugs.
“We want everyone—especially people with HIV and other special needs—to have care that is easy to find, always available, and never costs too much money,” said Paul G. Loberti, Director of the HIV, Provision of Care & Special Populations Unit within the EOHHS and Medicaid Program. “We work closely with our dedicated community partners like AIDS Care Ocean State, Community Care Alliance, Family Service of Rhode Island, Open Door Health, Thundermist, and AIDS Project Rhode Island (APRI) to ensure Rhode Islanders living with HIV get the right care at the right time.”
“With community leadership and input, Rhode Island has become a national leader in increasing access to services to prevent HIV and meet people where they are,” said Thomas Bertrand, Chief of RIDOH’s Center for HIV, Hepatitis, STD, and TB Epidemiology. “Harm reduction agencies in Rhode Island have created a network that makes supplies and services readily available through street outreach, mobile vans, walk-in sites, vending machines, and home-delivered services.”
To access a list of community events being held in observance of World AIDS Day, click here.