HIV discrimination and stigma remain major barriers to healthcare and support in Mississippi, a state disproportionately impacted by HIV. Mississippi has the seventh highest HIV diagnosis rate in the country, with adults aged 20–29 making up the largest share of new cases, according to the Mississippi State Department of Health. HIV-related discrimination can take many forms – in healthcare, employment, housing, and daily life – and these injustices negatively affect health outcomes by deterring people from seeking care or disclosing their status.
Stigma often leads to isolation and fear, preventing individuals from getting tested, accessing treatment, or remaining engaged in care. To combat this, we offer Stigma 101 trainings for the public, healthcare providers, and people living with HIV to raise awareness and promote understanding that HIV is a manageable health condition.
We also work through the Mississippi HIV Decriminalization Network, a coalition advocating for policy change to dismantle harmful HIV criminalization laws. These outdated laws treat HIV as a crime rather than a public health issue, deterring testing and disclosure and undermining efforts to end the epidemic. We are committed to confronting these challenges directly to build a more supportive environment where all people living with HIV in Mississippi can thrive without fear of discrimination or stigma.
How You Can Help
Join the Mississippi HIV Decriminalization Network to support the movement to reform HIV laws.