Each year on 1 December, the world commemorates World AIDS Day to show support for those living with HIV, tackle stigma, and remember those who have died from HIV-related illnesses.
A HIV infection can lead to AIDS if untreated, but with an early diagnosis and effective treatments, most people living with HIV will not develop any AIDS-related illnesses and can lead a full and healthy life.
Treatment also means the virus is undetectable in the body and cannot be transmitted. However, HIV continues to be highly stigmatised and misunderstood.
HIV can affect anyone. In 2023, nearly half of all new diagnoses in England were transmitted through sex between men and women; 70% of newly diagnosed people in England were aged 25-49, and 21% were aged 50 and over.*
Anyone can become infected and unknowingly infect others if they do not know their HIV status. To help end HIV transmissions, it’s recommended for anyone who is sexually active to get tested regularly: once a year, when changing a sexual partner, or every three months if regularly changing sexual partners.
Cllr Matthew Winnington, Cabinet Member for Community Wellbeing, Health and Care at Portsmouth City Council, said: “We know early diagnosis is key to managing HIV successfully so it’s important that our residents have easy access to testing and treatment through our healthcare services – which I’m glad to say we do.
“By the year 2030, the national aim is to have zero HIV transmissions. Importantly, we also hope for zero HIV related stigma. Ending stigma is important to help normalise HIV testing and help people living with HIV and their families to live happy, healthy lives.”
Portsmouth City Council is a proud partner of the Portsmouth Pride Trust who work year-round to support the LGBTQ+ community in Portsmouth and the surrounding areas. Their campaign arm, Queer All Year, is leading the ‘HIV Positivity in 2024’ project, which has included the creation of an 80-metre-long ‘HIV Positive’ mural, on the Queen’s Hotel hoardings, visible from Southsea Common.
The mural seeks to inspire conversations to tackle HIV stigma, improve education within the wider community and serve as a focal point for the LGBTQ+ community.
CP Robinson, Co-Chair of Portsmouth Pride said: “It’s so important to recognise World AIDS Day this year, especially as the focus for the year is tackling stigma. This is something we’ve experienced first-hand through our HIV Positive mural project which was installed over the summer and vandalised multiple times which shows the level of stigma and misinformation which is still apparent in society. The more projects like this and exposure that key campaigns achieve, the more chance we have of eliminating stigma, improving education, and encouraging meaningful conversations.”
Learn more about the HIV positivity project at: queerallyear.co.uk
Residents of Portsmouth, Southampton, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight can order free and confidential HIV and STI testing kits, as well as condoms, from the Solent sexual health service. The service can also provide PrEP, a pill which can prevent HIV infection. Visit www.letstalkaboutit.nhs.uk or call 0300 300 2016. In-person appointments can be booked for the sexual health clinic at St Mary’s Health Campus.