AIDS Action Europe’s Post

Marking December 1st - World AIDS Day 2024 with Sim Impacting Lives Foundation (SILF) On December 1st, Sim Impacting Lives Foundation (SILF) joins the global community in observing World AIDS Day 2024, with this year's theme, “Take the Rights Path, My Health, My Right!”. This powerful message underscores the critical role of human rights in the fight against HIV/AIDS, calling for the removal of the social, legal, and structural barriers that prevent people living with HIV from accessing essential healthcare, support, and treatment. At SILF, we recognize that access to healthcare is a fundamental human right. Our mission is rooted in ensuring that every individual, particularly women, young girls, children, and displaced communities, have the right to live a healthy life free from stigma and discrimination. Through our comprehensive healthcare programs, we offer HIV prevention, testing, mental health, and psychosocial support, with a focus on empowering marginalized populations to live with dignity and access the services they need. In line with the “Take the Rights Path” theme, SILF is committed to advocating for policies that protect the rights of people living with HIV, ensuring they receive equitable healthcare and support. We work to dismantle the stigma surrounding HIV and combat the barriers that often keep individuals from seeking treatment and care. By prioritizing human rights, we empower individuals to take control of their health and break free from cycles of exclusion and vulnerability. As we mark World AIDS Day, we call on governments, organizations, and individuals to stand together in the fight for human rights and HIV equality. Everyone has the right to good health, and no one should face discrimination in their access to HIV services. By supporting SILF’s interventions, you help ensure that individuals living with HIV can access the care they deserve, and live an empowered, healthy lives. Sim Impacting Lives Foundation (SILF)  ‘Together We Can Save Lives’

Forthcoming in Journal of the History of Sexuality...   Positively Irish Action on AIDS (PIAA), HIV and AIDS activism and the Irish diaspora in London, c.1989-1996 Kelly, Laura (2024) Positively Irish Action on AIDS (PIAA), HIV and AIDS activism and the Irish diaspora in London, c.1989-1996. Journal of the History of Sexuality. ISSN 1043-4070 (In Press)   Positively Irish Action on AIDS (PIAA) was a community-based organization founded in London in January 1989. Its key aim was to support Irish men and women affected by HIV and AIDS in London. PIAA was established out of a sense, in the words of co-founder Tim O’Keeffe, that there was “the need for an organization that acknowledged that having an Irish identity could cause some specific problems when confronting HIV/AIDS.” This article explores the experiences of PIAA activists and of members of the Irish diaspora in London who were affected by HIV and AIDS in the late 1980s and early 1990s. It draws primarily on oral history interviews which were conducted between 2019 and 2021 with five former members of PIAA in addition to project reports, newspapers, and other archival materials relating to the organization in the period from its formation in 1989 to its closure in 1996. It seeks to center the role of emotions, religion and Irish identity in fostering what Barbara Rosenwein terms ‘emotional communities’ to think about HIV and AIDS activists and the Irish diaspora affected by HIV and AIDS. Although PIAA was a relatively small organization, its impact extended beyond individuals affected by HIV and AIDS in London by providing support to their families in Ireland as well as engaging with activists based in Ireland and the UK.   https://lnkd.in/eg4d8Yg4

My World AIDS Day Message Despite being discovered over 40 years ago, HIV remains a global public health challenge, with new infections still occurring at alarming rates, even amidst significant advancements in treatment and prevention. Efforts such as antiretroviral therapy (ART), pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), and awareness campaigns have reduced the burden of HIV but have not fully curtailed the epidemic. Behavioral factors—including inconsistent condom use, stigma, and lack of education about transmission—continue to fuel the spread of HIV, especially in high-risk populations. Behavior change strategies, such as promoting safe sexual practices, reducing stigma, and integrating HIV education into community structures, are critical for long-term prevention. Targeted research is urgently needed to understand the specific vulnerabilities of populations at risk—such as adolescents, women, men who have sex with men (MSM), and individuals in resource-limited settings. Addressing social determinants of health—poverty, inequality, and limited access to healthcare—is essential for sustainable progress in the fight against HIV. On this World AIDS Day, let us renew our commitment to achieving an HIV-free generation by combining science, innovation, and community-driven approaches to eliminate new infections and ensure equitable care for those living with HIV. Let us remember: "Ending HIV is not just a medical challenge, but a societal one." World Health Organization Africa CDC

📰 AIDS United is proud to announce the awarding of several major grants totaling nearly $3.75 million to support and expand our vital work in capacity building, technical assistance, and advocacy. #AIDSunited has been awarded $3.2 million over four years from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSAgov), HHS’s (#HRSA) HIV/AIDS Bureau (HAB) to launch our new capacity-building and technical assistance initiative: CULTIVATE (Catalyzing Unity, Leadership, and Team-building through Individualized, Validating Approaches to Transformational Empowerment for people with HIV). This AIDS United-led partnership will increase the leadership capacity, representation, and engagement of people with HIV in #RyanWhite HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP) planning, development, implementation, evaluation, and clinical quality management activities. #AIDSUnited received a $400,000 renewal grant from Gilead Sciences for our HIV & Aging initiative. This grant will support the HIV & Aging Policy Advocacy Coalition and allow AIDS United to build upon our existing advocacy efforts to improve the quality of life for older adults living with HIV, engage the community, and build power among all people living with HIV. #AIDSUnited has been granted $150,000 from an anonymous funder to advance our HIV Decriminalization efforts in the Mississippi Delta region. In 2022, The Center for HIV Law and Policy (#CHLP), AIDS United (AU), and the Williams Institute, in partnership with Decriminalize Sex Work and Movement for Black Lives (#M4BL), spearheaded a coalition under the banner of the Sex/Health Alliance (the Alliance) to support a robust, community-led, sustainable movement to end the criminalization of consensual sex, race, sexual orientation, and gender identity in the United States. Read the press release below, and to request spokespersons connected to these initiatives, contact us at communications@aidsunited.org 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eH4i-S45

Marking December 1st - World AIDS Day 2024 with Sim Impacting Lives Foundation On December 1st, Sim Impacting Lives Foundation (SILF) joins the global community in observing World AIDS Day 2024, with this year's theme, “Take the Rights Path, My Health, My Right!”. This powerful message underscores the critical role of human rights in the fight against HIV/AIDS, calling for the removal of the social, legal, and structural barriers that prevent people living with HIV from accessing essential healthcare, support, and treatment. At SILF, we recognize that access to healthcare is a fundamental human right. Our mission is rooted in ensuring that every individual, particularly women, young girls, children, and displaced communities, have the right to live a healthy life free from stigma and discrimination. Through our comprehensive healthcare programs, we offer HIV prevention, testing, mental health, and psychosocial support, with a focus on empowering marginalized populations to live with dignity and access the services they need. In line with the “Take the Rights Path” theme, SILF is committed to advocating for policies that protect the rights of people living with HIV, ensuring they receive equitable healthcare and support. We work to dismantle the stigma surrounding HIV and combat the barriers that often keep individuals from seeking treatment and care. By prioritizing human rights, we empower individuals to take control of their health and break free from cycles of exclusion and vulnerability. As we mark World AIDS Day, we call on governments, organizations, and individuals to stand together in the fight for human rights and HIV equality. Everyone has the right to good health, and no one should face discrimination in their access to HIV services. By supporting SILF’s interventions, you help ensure that individuals living with HIV can access the care they deserve, and live an empowered, healthy lives. Sim Impacting Lives Foundation (SILF)  ‘Together We Can Save Lives’

Speak Out Thailand: Advocating for Health and Empowerment Speak Out Thailand is a comprehensive campaign aimed at reducing the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS and promoting sexual health awareness, particularly among young men who have sex with men (MSM) in Thailand. As part of the Love Foundation, Speak Out Thailand focuses on education, mobilization, and community support to foster a more inclusive and informed society. Key Initiatives of Speak Out Thailand: 1. Educational Campaigns: Speak Out Thailand runs extensive educational campaigns to spread accurate information about HIV prevention, treatment, and the importance of regular testing. This includes producing informative videos and collaborating with healthcare professionals to discuss topics like PrEP and PEP. 2. Community Support: The campaign provides platforms for individuals to share their experiences and receive support. This is crucial in reducing isolation and promoting mental well-being among people living with HIV and those affected by it. 3. Regular Testing: Encouraging regular HIV testing is a cornerstone of the campaign. Speak Out Thailand helps individuals find accessible and anonymous testing services, ensuring they can take proactive steps in managing their health. 4. Stigma Reduction: By fostering open conversations and educating the public, Speak Out Thailand works tirelessly to reduce the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS, helping people understand that living with HIV is manageable and that those affected deserve respect and support. For more information, you can visit Speak Out Thailand and explore their resources and initiatives dedicated to creating a healthier and more accepting community in Thailand..https://lnkd.in/gGXMpS8x

We're standing with over 20 charities to urge the next Government to deliver on historic goal of zero HIV cases by 2030. With just five years until 2030, our joint manifesto One Parliament Left, sets out the urgent actions Parliament must take to achieve this commitment. We can end new HIV transmissions in the UK by 2030 and ensure everyone living with HIV can live a long, healthy life. We could even be the first country in the world to do so. But there are less than 6 weeks until polls open and the UK elects the parliament that will have the chance to make this historic goal a reality. Produced with expert charities, doctors’ groups and public health professionals, the manifesto calls for the following six actions to ensure the UK achieves zero HIV transmissions by 2030: ✅an expansion of opt-out HIV testing ✅the introduction of a national one-stop-shop online PrEP, HIV and STI postal testing service ✅the creation of a national re-engagement programme for people living with HIV who are not in care ✅the provision of year-on-year, above inflation public authority health grant funding ✅the development of a national sexual health strategy ✅justice for those impacted by the contaminated blood scandal. The 2019 to 2024 Parliament has seen considerable progress – the first UK Government HIV Action Plan was published, opt-out HIV testing introduced in 81 A&E departments, PrEP commissioned in sexual health services, and discrimination is being tackled across multiple settings including; the military, pilots, driving, blood donation and fertility rights. But there is so much more to be done. The vital progress made so far is threatened by a new sexual health crisis. Rates of STIs are higher than ever, demand for services is ever increasing, and access is limited for many. This manifesto is a clear call from the HIV and sexual health sector. We are united and committed to work with government, the NHS, and all partners to take forward these top priorities. If our leaders are serious about ending the HIV epidemic they must act fast in the next parliament or we will miss the chance to end new cases by 2030 and have no chance of being the first country to do it. Read the manifesto ➡️➡️ https://ow.ly/6UzS50S20wF

Yesterday, Prime Minister Keir Starmer reaffirmed the UK Government’s commitment to ending new cases of HIV in England by 2030. At a reception at 10 Downing Street with Terrence Higgins Trust and National AIDS Trust ahead of #WorldAIDSDay, he announced £27 million to expand opt-out HIV testing in emergency departments. This investment builds on the success of our HIV Social Impact Bond, which proved highly effective in identifying people living with HIV, connecting them to care, and saving the health system millions.   But the fight against HIV doesn’t stop at the UK’s borders. To support global efforts to end new HIV cases, a further £37 million has been pledged by the UK Government to expand access to critical sexual and reproductive health services and provide essential support for marginalized communities worldwide.   This is how we make history — together🌍 https://lnkd.in/eGd7S-vZ

Breaking Barriers to End HIV/AIDS: World AIDS Day 2024 On this World AIDS Day, we reflect on the remarkable progress made in the fight against HIV/AIDS, a global epidemic that has spanned over four decades. Advances in prevention, treatment, and care bring us closer to the ambitious goal of eliminating HIV/AIDS as a major public health threat by 2030. This progress proves what’s possible when innovation, collaboration, and inclusion drive our efforts. But we must not grow complacent. Challenges loom large. Increasing LGBTQ+ discrimination, regional conflicts disrupting healthcare services, and uncertainty surrounding the future of the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) threaten to reverse these hard-won gains. Stigma, discrimination, and criminalization continue to hinder access to vital services, disproportionately impacting marginalized populations. Achieving UNAIDS’ 10-10-10 targets—eliminating harmful policies, reducing stigma, and ensuring safety and equity for vulnerable populations—requires urgent action. Yet, global and local data show we’re falling short. The path forward is clear: diversity, inclusion, and equality are essential to scientific breakthroughs and societal progress. By championing these values, we not only break down barriers to ending HIV but also create a world where every person has the chance to thrive. This World AIDS Day, let’s recommit to a future free from HIV/AIDS—one built on justice, dignity, and shared humanity. Together, we can make the vision of 2030 a reality.

The Role of PrEP in Protecting the Black Community from HIV BU Wellness Network is committed to Ending the HIV Epidemic and the Black community continues to face disproportionate challenges. Despite advances in prevention and treatment, systemic barriers and health disparities persist, making it crucial to focus on innovative solutions like Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP). As a preventive medication, PrEP holds immense potential to curb the spread of HIV, particularly within vulnerable populations. Understanding PrEP: A Powerful Preventive Tool PrEP is a daily pill that significantly reduces the risk of HIV infection in HIV-negative individuals. When taken consistently, it has been shown to lower the risk of contracting HIV by over 90% for those who engage in sexual activities with a higher risk of exposure. This effectiveness makes PrEP a critical tool in the HIV prevention toolkit, especially for communities with higher incidence rates. PREP can be a game-changer in our collective fight against HIV when taken appropriately. BU Wellness Network is continuing the work on reducing stigma and misinformation about HIV and PrEP. Our team has created a supportive environment where individuals feel empowered to protect their sexual health and overall wellbeing.