HIV prevention advocates have welcomed data released today on World AIDS Day showing encouraging progress in efforts to end HIV transmission in NSW by the end of the decade.
Figures announced today by NSW Health Minister Jillian Skinner show a 22% decrease in new HIV diagnoses between July and September this year (compared with the average for the same period in the previous six years), a 27% increase in HIV testing (compared with the same period in 2015) and 92% of people with HIV attending public sexual health services on treatment.
The data has been welcomed by ACON, NSW’s leading HIV prevention, HIV support and LGBTI* health organisation, which says the results show NSW’s strategy for virtually eliminating HIV transmission in the state by 2020 is working.
“Recent advances in HIV prevention treatments and testing technologies, especially the introduction of new HIV prevention drug PrEP, have significantly improved our capacity to reduce HIV transmission in NSW. We acknowledge the strong leadership and support of the NSW government, led by Minister Skinner, which has made progress towards our goals possible,” says ACON President Justin Koonin.
“In NSW, gay men are the population most at risk of HIV transmission, accounting for over three-quarters of new HIV diagnoses. The data released today indicates that gay men have heard the message and are rising to the challenge of ending HIV by testing for HIV more often, getting on treatment early if they’re diagnosed with HIV, and staying safe by using condoms, taking PrEP if they’re HIV negative or maintaining an undetectable viral load if they’re HIV positive.
“On World AIDS day we thank gay men throughout NSW for joining us in our efforts to eliminate the virus. However, while these figures certainly indicate that we’re heading in the right direction, we need to ensure we maintain the vision, innovation, vigilance and investment that have propelled us to this point in our efforts to end HIV.”
Dr Koonin says a great example of this is the launch today of NSW’s new Dried Blood Spot (DBS) HIV Testing Service. “This is a free and confidential HIV testing option which will allow people to order a test online, do the test in the privacy of their home, send it back by mail and receive their results via phone, text message or email.
When combined with ACON’s community based a[TEST] facilities – which have just notched up their 10,000th test over four years – this new DBS program is set to further increase HIV testing rates by making testing for HIV even easier.” More information can be found at www.hivtest.health.nsw.gov.au.
In addition to looking to the future, Dr Koonin says World AIDS Day provides us with an opportunity to reflect on the impact that HIV and AIDS has had and continues to have both locally and globally
“Today on World AIDS Day we remember and honour the thousands of Australians and millions of people internationally who have died of an AIDS-related illness as well as the people and loved ones who cared for them. And we pay tribute to the courage and determination of the thousands of people in NSW and the tens of millions around the world who live with HIV and the many challenges they confront as a result. “
Dr Koonin says NSW residents can help raise funds for programs and services that are vital to ending the HIV epidemic by donating to ACON’s Ending HIV Red Ribbon Appeal. “Our volunteers are out in central Sydney and other locations in regional NSW on World AIDS Day selling Red Ribbon merchandise, so please support the Appeal by purchasing a ribbon, pin or wristband. You can also buy ribbons from participating shops and businesses, or you can make a cash donation online at www.redribbonappeal.org.au.”
“Now is the time for us to work together to end HIV transmission in our community. It’s history in the making and we can all be a part of that by supporting efforts to end HIV. Please join us and make a difference.”
ENDS | *LGBTI = lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex
For more information please contact:
David Alexander, ACON Media and Communications Officer
E: dalexander@acon.org.au T: +61 (02) 9206 2044 M: +61 (0)428 477 042
