Ending the stigma this World AIDS Day
Staff from the ID nursing, allied health and reception team at The Alfred Infectious Diseases Outpatient Clinic on Level 4 Philip Block.
Alfred Health Infectious Diseases Physician, Edwina Wright, says HIV-related stigma is a leading reason why people don't get tested for HIV and don't access healthcare.
“HIV-related stigma is also a reason why some people don't share their HIV status with their family and friends,” Associate Professor Wright said.
"If we can end stigma, we can end new HIV infections and optimise the healthcare of people living with HIV. As healthcare professionals we owe it to our patients and our community to call out stigma wherever we find it," she said.
World AIDS Day aims to encourage Australians to educate themselves and others about HIV; to take action to reduce the transmission of HIV by promoting prevention strategies; and to ensure that people living with HIV can participate fully in the life of the community, free from stigma and discrimination.
World AIDS Day is this Sunday 1 December. The theme for Australia in 2019 is Every Journey Counts.
Find out more here: worldaidsday.org.au
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