World AIDS Day

World AIDS Day is held on 1 December each year to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS. Some of the aims of World AIDS Day are to promote testing and prevention, improve access to treatment and care, and to end stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV. It’s also an opportunity for all of us to show support for people in our community living with HIV, and to commemorate those who have passed.

AHCSA’s Sexual Health Team believe it’s important that we continue to yarn about HIV so mob know the facts about HIV, how it’s transmitted, whether they could be at risk and the importance of getting tested. We also need to challenge attitudes that contribute to stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV, which have negative effects health and wellbeing. Stigma and discrimination also undermine prevention efforts, and can make people afraid to get tested.

This year AHCSA and SHINE SA, with support from Country SA PHN, provided grants to six South Australian ACCHS to mark HIV Awareness Week/World AIDS Day in their communities. These grants are being used to host community BBQs, health workshops, and other events to raise HIV awareness, to encourage testing and promote prevention.

AHCSA’s Sexual Health Team will be on the road over the next couple of weeks to provide support to some ACCHS with their HIV Awareness Week events.

Know the facts about HIV – check out https://youngdeadlyfree.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/HIV-Human-Immunodeficiency-Virus-FINAL.pdf

For more information about World AIDS Day visit http://www.worldaidsday.org.au/