Guide to good practices in communication about HIV and AIDS

A guide to best practices developed by Agencia Presentes for journalists and communicators, in dialogue with activist groups in Latin America. Link to free download.

July 31, 2026

Anna Karenina

Edited by: María Eugenia Ludueña

Since the first documented cases of HIV and AIDS emerged in the early 1980s, scientific research and activism have made immense progress in prevention and treatment, as well as in social and cultural development. However, access to advanced technology and medication, and to a full quality of life, remains a challenge for some populations. And although the stigma and discrimination that weighed heavily on people living with HIV for decades have been significantly reduced, they have not yet been eradicated.

Talking about this virus remains taboo. This is compounded by a widespread lack of official prevention and treatment campaigns—with some exceptions in countries like Brazil, among others.

The media, journalists, content creators, and those of us who work in communications have a crucial role in disseminating information on this topic. This guide to good journalistic practices for communicating about HIV and AIDS aims to complement other tools by facilitating appropriate terminology and contributing new approaches that allow us to tell the stories of people living with HIV in all their dimensions.

At a time when journalism is in crisis and disinformation is spreading alarmingly, our guide seeks to support the communication practices of people of diverse ages and backgrounds to improve coverage and create narratives that drive social change.

We believe that talking about HIV and AIDS means talking about rights, care, affection, closeness, and empathy within society as a whole. That's why this guide is an invitation to continue thinking as a community.

DOWNLOAD: Guide to good journalistic practices for HIV and AIDS communication

This project was supported by the IAS (International AIDS Society) through the Community Project Grants.

We are present

We are committed to journalism that delves into the territories and conducts thorough investigations, combined with new technologies and narrative formats. We want the protagonists, their stories, and their struggles to be present.