27 November 2020

Every year, on 1 December, the world commemorates World AIDS Day. People around the world unite to show support for people living with and affected by HIV and to remember those who lost their lives to AIDS. In 2020, the world’s attention has been focused by the COVID-19 pandemic on health and how pandemics affect lives and livelihoods. With this in mind, this year the theme of World AIDS Day is “Global solidarity, shared responsibility.” 

Cases of HIV in the UK are decreasing each year; in 2019 there was a 10% drop in new diagnoses from 2018 and a 34% drop compared to 2014.

But there are still over 100,000 people living with HIV in the UK and of these, around 6,600 are undiagnosed so do not know they are HIV positive.

This World Aids Day, CNWL’s sexual health services are reminding residents in London and Surrey to get tested regularly and know your status

The service offers online HIV testing kits that can be sent to the comfort of your own home quickly

Visit www.sexualhealth.cnwl.nhs.uk or https://www.shl.uk/ to order a kit.

CLASH, our sexual health outreach team are also holding sessions throughout the week, providing screening and vaccinations, awareness rasising and red ribbons. At the follow dates:

1 December: Union Chapel Margins joint venture with Mobile Health Unit Find and Treat. Upper Street 19b Compton Terrace, London N1 2UN N1 in partnership with Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust (Homeless/BAME)

2 December: Outside Project, 42-44 Rosebery Ave, Farringdon, London EC1R 4RX C&I (Homeless/LGBTQI+ MSM/BAME)

London continues to have the highest rates of HIV in the country: 36% of new diagnoses in 2019 were in London residents and 38% of people seen for HIV care were living in London. Anyone can get HIV but people from some groups or parts of the world are more likely to be affected. In particular, men who have sex with men and black African people are disproportionately affected.

  • 37% of all diagnoses were black African men and women.
  • 41% of all diagnoses were gay or bisexual men.
  • 22% of diagnoses were across other categories.

 

 

For World Aids Day on 1 December the National Aids Trust are running their #ROCKTHERIBBON.  The campaign has been endorsed by the World Health Organisation. Rocking a red ribbon not only completes any outfit; it shows everyone – especially people living with HIV and their families – your support.

This World AIDS Day, NAT want to raise awareness and raise vital funds, so that together we can stop HIV from standing in the way of health, dignity and equality, and end new HIV transmissions by 2030.

THT are encouraging everyone to join in a range of fundraising activities including the Ribbon Run, Ribbon Walk and Drag race bingo events amongst others.

Positive East have cancelled this years Red Run on World Aids Day and focusing on preparations of The World AIDS Day RED RUN which will return to Victoria Park, London in November 2021 to raise awareness and funds for vital HIV services across the UK. Take-Action. Lace Up!

Do It London are promoting HIV testing and combination prevention in the capital. Thanks to London councils’ commitment to HIV prevention, the campaign will continue throughout the next phase of the London HIV Prevention Programme which runs until 2022.

Book your appointment or order a kit online today. 

The Trust's Health Adviser and Peer Support teams are available if you feel the need to talk to someone, especially during lockdown. If you would like to speak to either a Health Adviser or Peer Support worker call 020 3317 5100, we will take your details and who you wish to talk to and one of the team will call you back.