HIV - STILL AN ISSUE

HIV Still An Issue

1 December – World Aids Day – Various

The first of December has become the regular date when communities, local to global, mark the impact of HIV on peoples’ lives and use the day as an opportunity to raise awareness. West London has a number of events and initiatives taking place that play their part in this worldwide initiative.

What started out as a spontaneous wish to commemorate people who had died from HIV disease and to raise social and political awareness in a less-informed time, has grown into the international initiative of World Aids Day.

The 1st of December each year sees thousands of initiatives around the world taking place under the banner of World Aids Day . From religious memorial ceremonies to educational events; charity fundraisers to community information, World Aids day sees the synchronous effort of many services and organisations around the world to remind us that HIV is still very much a reality in all of our communities.

This year’s theme will focus on the issue of Women and HIV, a timely reminder that almost half of new cases of HIV in the UK are now women. A similar timely awareness is emerging on a European level with the EU recognising that the growth in heterosexual –particularly female- HIV cases, the needs of new member states and the needs of young people who missed the first wave of public awareness raising, all create a clear HIV challenge for Europe.

In west London, for example, there are a number of events. Here are just a couple:

In the Kings Mall, Hammersmith this information event will take place.

In Hounslow, a public information stall will be set up outside the Holy Trinity Church in High Street, Hounslow, from 2 to 4.30pm where information will be available in the form of leaflets. Social Services staff will also be available to offer advice and answer questions to increase understanding on the issues surrounding HIV and sexual health.

Throughout west London, many schools will be running special events and classes to help children understand HIV. If you are a parent of carer, perhaps it might be worth contacting your child’s school to see what opportunities there are for you to become involved.

Of course, since this is an international event, London itself will be marking World Aids Day with a number of events. This page of the Greater London Authority’s site gives details of some of the events taking place.

And, it you’re interested in the many events taking place around the world, this section of the World Aids Day website offers a searchable directory of many of the events taking place around the world.

Other Places To Get Involved & Find Information

If, on the other hand you wish to find out more information about HIV for yourself, then the Internet is an excellent resource. In fact, HIV was one of the first issues to prove the benefits of the Internet as a tool for sharing information and providing support. As a result, compared with a number of other health issues, the comprehensiveness, quantity and quality of information about HIV on the Internet are second to none. The main disadvantage, perhaps, is that there is just so much information.

However, here are a few good places to start:

The National Aids Trust site is one of the best portals on the Net providing accurate information on a vast range of HIV-related topics in the UK.

AVERT is and international charity with an excellent site full of resources. A strong focus of its international support is for HIV issues in developing regions.

The UK Coalition of People Living With HIV & AIDS provides a voice for those people living with HIV and extensive information that may be of interest to you if you are closely affected by HIV.

The Positively Women website gives information of specific interest to women living with HIV and information of support services.

If you would like to speak to a professional about HIV, then one of the best places to start would be your local sexual health clinic. This page of the National Aids Manual details all clinics in London offering services such as HIV advice and information and confidential HIV testing.