BANGOR — On December 1, 2023, health organizations in Maine marked World AIDS Day by providing crucial resources for HIV prevention and testing. This year, the observance comes as the state grapples with its largest HIV outbreak to date, which has seen significant increases in cases, particularly among vulnerable populations.
The federal government, under the Trump administration, has opted to discontinue nearly four decades of formal recognition of World AIDS Day, urging employees not to use government funds for related activities. This decision has drawn sharp criticism from health leaders in Maine, who argue that it represents a dangerous disregard for the ongoing HIV epidemic.
Penobscot County has reported 30 positive HIV cases since late 2023, a dramatic rise from an average of just two cases annually. The outbreak has primarily affected individuals experiencing homelessness and those who use intravenous drugs, prompting local health organizations to intensify efforts to bolster health and social services.
“We’ve seen in history what happens when the federal government refuses to acknowledge HIV and AIDS infections in our country,” said Olivia Pennington, director of advocacy and community engagement at Maine Family Planning. This organization offers reproductive and sexual health services throughout the state. “Turning away from HIV and AIDS doesn’t do anything to help treat folks.”
Health organizations set up informational tables at the Unitarian Universalist Society, offering community members free resources such as at-home HIV tests, condoms, hygiene products, and PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), a medication designed to prevent HIV infection among high-risk individuals.
Gabrielle Drew, a 35-year-old Bangor resident who is currently unhoused, expressed her concerns about the rising cases. “A lot of us use needles, and that’s where everyone was getting it from,” she said. “Me and my boyfriend, we don’t have it and we don’t want to get it.” Drew is one of over 100 community members who have recently begun using PrEP through a campaign led by the Needlepoint Sanctuary, a Bangor nonprofit that focuses on harm reduction and syringe services.
Despite the alarming rise in HIV cases in Penobscot County, efforts to combat the outbreak are ongoing. The state issued a public health advisory in late November, urging individuals in Cumberland County who inject drugs to get tested for HIV after five residents tested positive this year.
The Frannie Peabody Center, Maine’s largest service organization dedicated to HIV and AIDS, held a resource fair and candlelit vigil in Portland to honor World AIDS Day. Meanwhile, the Trump administration’s proposed budget for 2026 includes cuts to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, notably eliminating the division focused on HIV prevention—moves that have alarmed public health advocates.
In response to the federal government’s silence, the Maine Medical Association and other state health organizations issued a joint statement emphasizing that the lack of acknowledgment comes “at exactly the wrong time,” according to its president, Jim Jarvis.
William Hurley, executive director of Needlepoint Sanctuary, highlighted the responsibilities of local and state governments in addressing the policies that contribute to homelessness and drug use, which exacerbate the HIV outbreak. The organization resumed its syringe services program in October after restrictions were imposed due to zoning regulations.
Drew added that increasing access to syringe services and utilizing PrEP are essential strategies for community members to protect themselves. “HIV is going rampant right now,” she stated. “Better be safe than sorry, kind of thing.”
As Maine navigates this public health crisis, the commitment of local organizations and advocates continues to play a vital role in addressing the needs of those affected by HIV and raising awareness about prevention and treatment options.
