The annual public health push that marks the World AIDS Day on December 1 will go ahead in France, the Ministry of Health announced on 25 September. Minister Stéphanie Rist used the platform X to state, “It was never a question to cancel or to skip a HIV prevention campaign. This campaign will indeed take place as every December.” Her message was aimed at silencing a wave of concern that had been circulating among community groups.
Why NGOs feared a disappearance
Several organisations, including AidesSidaction and Act Up reported that an internal briefing at Santé publique France in June had signalled the termination of the December outreach. Camille Spire head of Aides, explained, “We learned that the end of the campaign was announced at a June meeting. We were not told the government was trimming the sails, but that it was abandoning the campaign altogether.” The fear was not merely symbolic; the campaign is a key moment for encouraging testing and highlighting the mental-health impacts of HIV-related discrimination, as Florence Thune director of Sidaction, reminded.
Political backlash and funding cuts
In response, the three NGOs sent a joint letter to the government demanding a reversal of the alleged decision, and they alerted the national news agency on 22 September. The letter caught the attention of Arthur Delaporte socialist deputy for Calvados and chair of the parliamentary HIV/AIDS study group. He warned that “ambiguous statements and hints of budget restrictions, even when no formal budget debate exists, fuel uncertainty.” Delaporte highlighted a longer trend: over the past three years, state subsidies to NGOs have almost halved—from €3 million to €1.7 million—forcing the loss of 60 positions out of roughly 450.
Strategic context
Earlier in the year, France reduced its contribution to the Global Fund by 50 %, a move that signalled a broader re-orientation of health financing. Simultaneously, the government reclaimed several responsibilities previously managed by Santé publique France, notably the execution of national communication campaigns. Critics view this as a political takeover of what had been a public-health-driven mission.
Roadmap and future debate
Adding another layer of intrigue, a new sexual-health roadmap was published at the beginning of September, outlining a four-year strategy (2026-2030). The document proudly notes the launch of a “first combined national prevention campaign for the general public” and calls for its repetition. Yet, within the corridors of Avenue de Ségur, officials are already debating how to maximise impact on a static budget: should the message be concentrated on the World AIDS Day itself, or spread throughout the year? Should the traditional television spots give way to digital platforms more frequented by young people?
These discussions underscore a fragile trust between the state and civil society. While the minister’s statement restores certainty about the 2026 campaign, NGOs argue that without renewed financial commitment and transparent planning, the effectiveness of the outreach may be compromised.
