In 1989, the World Health Organization designated December 1 World AIDS Day, a day of action and mourning in response to the pandemic. Along with other cultural institutions, the Met continues to participate in an annual observance of the day. This year, as part of the worldwide "Light for Rights" campaign, the fountain lights in front of the main building of the Museum will be dimmed at 6:15 p.m.

In 2008, UNAIDS estimated that there were more than thirty-three million people worldwide living with HIV; since the AIDS epidemic emerged, more than twenty-five million lives have been lost.