TRENTON, N.J. — The New Jersey Department of Health is joining global communities in observing World AIDS Day, commemorated each year on Dec. 1, and renewing its commitment to ending the HIV epidemic statewide. This year’s theme, Overcoming disruption, transforming the AIDS response, underscores ongoing efforts to improve prevention, testing and care.
“World AIDS Day is more than a date on the calendar. It represents our unwavering support for New Jerseyans living with HIV and the communities impacted by this epidemic,” Acting Health Commissioner Jeff Brown said. “New Jersey remains steadfast in our commitment to end the HIV epidemic. While we’ve made important progress, now is not the time to pull back on our efforts or accept the status quo.”
To coincide with this year’s observance, the Department released new data dashboards designed to show where people living with HIV reside and where new infections are being diagnosed. The dashboards are intended to guide resource allocation and prevention strategies and are available at nj.gov/health/hiv/hiv-data.
New Jersey continues to advance its 2021 strategic plan developed by the state’s Taskforce to End the HIV Epidemic. The effort centers on three primary goals: reducing new HIV infections by 75 percent, ensuring all individuals living with HIV know their status, and linking 90 percent of diagnosed individuals to care that results in viral suppression.
Progress in Reducing Infections
More than 36,901 New Jersey residents are currently living with HIV. While 2024 data are still being finalized, the state reported 1,017 new HIV diagnoses in 2023, down from 1,078 in 2022 and 1,106 in 2017 — an 8 percent decline from 2017 to 2023.
Officials said the state’s strategy includes raising awareness among disproportionately affected communities and connecting residents to testing and treatment. So far in 2025, more than 5,600 patients have received HIV-related medications or health insurance coverage through the New Jersey AIDS Drug Distribution Program.
The Department has also been working to close coverage gaps for lower-income residents through GetCoveredNJ plans, improve data systems and launch new efforts to reconnect individuals to HIV services. Individuals needing help with HIV medications can call (877) 613-4533 or speak with their case manager.
The state’s PrEP program continues expanding access to pre-exposure prophylaxis, a daily pill or bi-monthly injection that prevents HIV. Through 32 funded agencies, 1,766 people have received PrEP counseling in 2025, and 639 have been linked to medication.
Expanding Testing Access
Nationally, an estimated 13 percent of people with HIV do not know their status, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. In New Jersey, the state’s HIV testing program screens nearly 50,000 people annually.
This fall, NJDOH launched the No Fear, Just Results campaign to promote STI testing among sexually active adults, using billboards, social media, streaming audio and television in both English and Spanish.
The state is also working with healthcare partners to implement routine HIV testing in clinical settings, especially emergency departments. Approximately 29 locations are moving toward routinized testing through public health detailing projects and technical assistance.
NJDOH is also collaborating with the François-Xavier Bagnoud Center at the Rutgers School of Nursing on the Take PrEP & Take Charge campaign, aimed at increasing PrEP awareness among Black and Latina heterosexual cisgender women ages 18 and older. The campaign, active in Atlantic, Camden and Mercer counties, has generated more than 130 million views since its launch.
Improving Linkage to Care
The NJ AIDS/HIV/STD Hotline — 1-800-624-2377 — remains available 24/7 to connect individuals with prevention, testing and treatment services statewide.
The Department reports significant improvement in linking newly diagnosed individuals to care within 30 days. In 2024, nearly 80 percent of people diagnosed with HIV were connected to care within that window, up from 69 percent in 2017. Early linkage allows patients to begin medication that reduces HIV to undetectable levels, preventing transmission.
Viral suppression rates have also risen. Among individuals with at least one care visit, nearly 90 percent were virally suppressed in 2024, compared to 81 percent in 2017.
Harm Reduction Efforts
New Jersey has expanded harm reduction services since July 2023, authorizing more than 50 harm reduction centers that provide counseling, supplies and overdose prevention resources. In 2025, more than 11,800 people have been served — a 104 percent increase from 2024 — and more than 2.7 million new syringes have been distributed, up 36 percent from the previous year.
State officials say these improvements reflect substantial progress but emphasize that eliminating HIV in New Jersey requires continued collaboration with community organizations and hospital networks.
For more information about NJDOH HIV services, visit nj.gov/health/hiv.
