Merck, known as MSD outside the U.S. and Canada, launched Your Hive of Whole Health on September 18, 2026 — a multi-year educational program designed to help people living with HIV build personalized networks of support addressing their physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being. The initiative was unveiled at the 2026 U.S. Conference on HIV/AIDS (USCHA) in Anaheim, California (September 17–20, 2026), aiming to honor progress made toward ending the epidemic while emphasizing that future gains depend on a broader focus on whole-person health.
Debbie Allen, actress, director, producer, and longtime HIV advocate, joined Merck to launch the initiative: “True health is about the whole person—their mind, body and spirit. My journey with the HIV community began during a time of fear and crisis, but today we are championing a new era of joy, inclusion, and well-being. This campaign is a reminder that when we care for the whole individual, we strengthen the entire Hive.”
Building a Personal “Hive” of Support
Inspired by the collaboration required to keep a beehive healthy, the program encourages people living with HIV to identify, build, and nurture their own “Hive” — a personal care circle that may include healthcare providers, community advocates, family, and peers. Understanding the role each member plays is framed as especially important for people navigating HIV while aging, who may face co-occurring health conditions or other challenges. Harold Phillips, CEO of NMAC, praised the initiative’s alignment with his organization’s own priorities: “This new campaign from Merck equips community leaders and advocates to help meet the diverse needs of those we serve. At NMAC, we have made whole person health a top strategic priority because ending the HIV epidemic requires addressing the physical, mental, behavioral, emotional, and social factors that shape health. USCHA is where our community comes together to learn, heal, and envision the future of HIV advocacy, making it the perfect place to launch Your Hive of Whole Health. By helping people build a personalized network of care and support, Merck’s campaign reinforces our shared commitment to working towards the day that everyone can thrive.”
A Plenary Spotlight and What Comes Next
The program will be featured at a plenary session at USCHA on September 19, hosted by Debbie Allen and other HIV community advocates, aligned with this year’s conference theme, “United and Unbreakable, the HIV Movement at 45.” The session will include reflections from advocates on four decades of HIV advocacy, cultural performances celebrating community resilience, and opportunities for attendees to connect and find their own role within the broader Hive.
Conrod Kelly, HIV Business Unit Lead, U.S., Merck, tied the launch to community input: “The HIV response has always been driven by the community, for the community, and we are grateful to the advocates and organizations who helped us build Your Hive of Whole Health. Together, we look forward to broadening the discussion around HIV management to include factors such as managing one’s mental wellness, co-occurring conditions, social drivers, and other life challenges, in addition to viral suppression, and to ensuring people have the tools they need to get the support that they deserve.” Your Hive of Whole Health was created by Merck alongside an advisory council of community organizations and advocates. More information is available at HiveofWholeHealth.com.
Merck’s Broader HIV Work
For more than 40 years, Merck has been committed to research and discovery in HIV, leading to scientific breakthroughs that have helped change HIV treatment. The company’s work has helped pioneer new treatment options across multiple drug classes, and it is currently developing a series of antiviral options spanning both HIV treatment and prevention. Merck says it draws inspiration from the lived experiences of the HIV community as it advances research with real life in mind, with its work centered on potentially transformative innovations, collaborations with others in the global HIV community, and access initiatives aimed at helping end the HIV epidemic.
About Merck
Merck, known as MSD outside the U.S. and Canada, is a research-intensive biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Rahway, New Jersey, with more than 130 years of history developing medicines and vaccines.
