Healthy Surrey:

Healthy Surrey

World AIDS Day 2024 - 1 December

Public Health are supporting National acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) Trust this World AIDS Day in its commitment to stopping new cases of Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), securing the rights of people living with HIV, and fighting HIV stigma and discrimination.

Today, over 100,000 people live with HIV in the UK. Effective treatment now means people living with HIV in the UK can have a normal life expectancy and they can't pass the virus on.

But HIV continues to be highly stigmatised and misunderstood. People living with HIV experience discrimination, including in work, education, housing and even healthcare. HIV-associated stigma remains a significant factor in people's experience of living with HIV, but it also significantly inhibits testing and prevention interventions.

In 2022, National AIDS Trust found 1 in 5 people think you can acquire HIV through kissing. Only 16% knew if someone is on effective treatment, they can't pass HIV on and can expect to live a long and healthy life.

World AIDS Day is the perfect time for us to raise much needed awareness about HIV:

  • People on effective HIV treatment can't pass it on - effective treatment for HIV suppresses the virus to such low levels that it can't harm you and you can't pass it on.
  • HIV can't be passed on through day-to-day contact - HIV can't be passed on through things like touching, kissing, sharing cutlery or glasses. HIV can be passed on through sex without a condom but only if a person is not on effective treatment. It can also be passed on through sharing needles and during pregnancy (but in the UK this is extremely rare because we have great treatment).
  • HIV can affect anyone - some groups of people are affected by HIV more than others, but it can be passed to anyone.
  • People living with HIV can live long and healthy lives - there isn't a cure for HIV, but there is excellent treatment. If you are diagnosed in good time and take your medication, you can have as long and healthy a life as everyone else.
  • There are many ways to prevent HIV

Read more about the Worlds Aids Day 2024 campaign and how you could promote Worlds Aids Day in your organisation.

We have a once in a lifetime opportunity to end the HIV epidemic for good, but we must also continue fighting the stigma still experienced by people living with HIV.

World Aids Day 2024 Webinar

Join us for a webinar on Thursday 5 December, 1 to 2pm, to update your knowledge on HIV, hear experiences from people living with HIV and find out how you can help to fight HIV stigma in Surrey. This event is open to all and we encourage clinicians and non-clinicians to attend.

Book your place