What we are seeing here in Atlanta is a continuation of the renewed energy and enthusiasm for HIV cure-related research that will maintain its impetus leading into the IAS 2013 conference in Kuala Lumpur in June with the Pre-Conference Symposium Toward an HIV Cure.

This World AIDS Day is a celebration of the achievements that have been made and the acceleration of progress in recent years, providing proof that ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic is not only feasible but achievable.

The stigma associated with HIV is only partially to blame. More problematic is the difficulty of reaching the most vulnerable members of the U.S. population who are living with HIV but unaware of their status: racial and ethnic minorities, the poor and disenfranchised, and people who are homeless.

For the AIDS response, couples' testing and counselling should be one more turning point to expand options to strengthen the impact of HIV prevention and treatment.

We've come a long way in the battle against HIV/AIDS. However, we must remain vigilant: We cannot ignore the startling statistics of new HIV infections of gay and bisexual men, especially among black and Hispanic men.

AIDS activists must aspire for responsible advocacy. I encourage AHF to adopt a more pragmatic strategy regarding FDA review of PrEP.