BANGOR — On December 1, 2023, health organizations in Maine marked World AIDS Day by providing vital HIV prevention and testing resources, coinciding with the state’s most significant HIV outbreak to date. This year, the federal government is notably absent from the discussion, as the Trump administration has discouraged the use of government funds to recognize the day, which many health leaders criticize as neglectful.
In Penobscot County, there have been 30 positive HIV cases reported since late 2023, a stark increase from the typical two cases annually. The outbreak has primarily affected Bangor’s homeless population and individuals who use intravenous drugs, prompting local health organizations to strengthen their services.
Community Response and Resources
At the Unitarian Universalist Society, local health organizations set up tables to distribute free resources, including at-home HIV tests, condoms, hygiene products, and PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), a preventive medication for those at high risk of HIV infection. Olivia Pennington, director of advocacy and community engagement at Maine Family Planning, emphasized the importance of these resources, stating, “We’ve seen in history what happens when the federal government refuses to acknowledge HIV and AIDS infections in our country.”
One community member, Gabrielle Drew, engaged with representatives from Needlepoint Sanctuary of Maine, a nonprofit focused on harm reduction. Drew, who is currently unhoused, shared her decision to begin taking PrEP due to the rise in HIV cases. “A lot of us use needles, and that’s where everyone was getting it from,” the 35-year-old said. “Me and my boyfriend, we don’t have it and we don’t want to get it.”
Since the outbreak began, over 100 community members in Bangor have started PrEP through a coordinated effort by Needlepoint Sanctuary and Maine Family Planning, which included a mobile medical unit at the event.
Public Health Advisory and Federal Inaction
Despite efforts at the community level, the situation remains critical. A public health advisory was issued for Cumberland County after five residents tested positive for HIV this year, encouraging individuals who use injection drugs to undergo testing. The Frannie Peabody Center, Maine’s largest HIV and AIDS service organization, held a resource fair and candlelit vigil in Portland to raise awareness.
The federal government’s current stance raises concerns. The proposed budget for 2026 suggests cuts to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention division dedicated to HIV prevention. Jim Jarvis, president of the Maine Medical Association, criticized this silence, stating it “comes at exactly the wrong time.”
William Hurley, executive director of Needlepoint Sanctuary, pointed to local and state policies that contribute to issues of homelessness and drug use, exacerbating the outbreak. The organization recently resumed its syringe program after the city of Bangor restricted its services due to zoning laws. Drew remarked on the importance of increasing syringe services and accessing PrEP as effective measures to protect the community. “HIV is going rampant right now,” she said. “Better be safe than sorry, kind of thing.”
