World AIDS Day 2017

Tomorrow is World AIDS Day internationally, recognised in order to end the negative impact of HIV. There are an estimated 36.7 million people with the virus in the world today and, despite the virus only being identified in 1984, more than 35 million people have died of HIV or AIDS, labelling it one of the most deadly pandemics on record.

Supporters are asked to share ( #LetsEndIt ), campaign, educate and fundraise to ‘end it’. You can get involved by applying for 100 red ribbons to help fundraise, wear red, hold a bake sale, run for World AIDS Day, or test your knowledge by hosting a World AIDS Day quiz.

“This year in the UK there have been the first significant reductions in HIV diagnoses for gay men in London, thanks to frequent testing, rapid treatment and PrEP. Let’s grow this success so that it includes everybody at risk, across the UK.

But our fight is not just about the virus. For the more than 100,000 people living with HIV in the UK, ignorance and discrimination can still limit opportunities, preventing them from living full and happy lives. HIV means you are more likely to live in poverty, and more likely to have poor mental health.

This is an exciting turning point. But we need a new burst of energy to end stigma, end HIV transmission and end the isolation experienced by people living with HIV, for good.”

NOW LET'S END IT:

• End the growth of the epidemic: we have the tools we need, now we must ensure the political will and investment to stop HIV in its tracks.
• End ignorance about HIV: we know how and what to teach people, now we need to ensure that every child in every school learns what they need to protect themselves.
• End stigma and discrimination: the laws are in place but now we must implement them and ensure we all have access to justice.
• End the link between HIV and poverty: we know having HIV means you are more likely to live in poverty, now we must tackle the causes of poverty.
• End seeing the virus not the person: we need to ensure that support is provided for all people with HIV to live full and happy lives.
• End the disproportionate impact of HIV on some communities: no one should be at increased risk of HIV because of where they are from or who they have sex with.