To commemorate World AIDS Day, the Department of Social Work acknowledges the substantial progress that has been made to prevent HIV transmission, effectively treat the virus, and improve the lives of people living with HIV. Since the very beginning of the pandemic, Social Work has contributed to improvements across the HIV continuum of care. We wish to take this moment to recommit publicly to our support of the efforts being made in research, education, advocacy, and medical and social services to eradicate HIV. We wish to publicly thank our many community partners with whom it has been our honor to collaborate in this effort. We also want to acknowledge and support the commitment of the City of Birmingham to the Fast-Track Cities initiative and to the countless stakeholders who are working tirelessly to see the World Health Organization’s (WHO’s) 90-90-90 targets reached. Let's be thankful for all we have accomplished, but humble in all we have yet to do!

David E. Pollio, Ph.D.
Distinguished Professor and Chair
Department of Social Work
College of Arts and Sciences
University of Alabama at Birmingham

D. Scott Batey, Ph.D., MSW, LiCSW, PIP
Assistant Professor
Department of Social Work
College of Arts and Sciences
University of Alabama at Birmingham