With newly diagnosed HIV infections in Australia at their highest rate in seven years,  health professionals are urging all Australians to remember that prevention is everybody's business on World AIDS Day on 1 December.

John Hunter Hospital’s Director of Immunology and Infectious Diseases Dr Michael Boyle said Australians of all ages and backgrounds are affected by HIV/AIDS – women, men, children, gay, straight, single, married, young and old.

“We need to continue to be informed about HIV/AIDS, in order to work towards reducing new infections as well as discrimination,” he said.

The most effective way for people to protect themselves and their partners and reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS is still through practising safe sex, using condoms and getting tested regularly.

“HIV/AIDS is a life threatening, yet preventable disease but talking about it openly will help to generate awareness and understanding within the community,” Dr Boyle said.

With more than 16,000  Australians currently living with HIV/AIDS, many suffer from stigma and discrimination. It has been 25 years since the identification of HIV, yet people living with HIV/AIDS still face barriers accessing accommodation and insurance, as well as prejudice within the work environment.

Alarmingly, as rates of new HIV diagnoses increase, so too has the perception in some quarters, that new treatments have lessened the seriousness of HIV/AIDS1.

“Early access to HIV testing and treatments allow many people with HIV infection to live longer and enjoy a better quality of life, however people need to be aware that there is still no cure for HIV/AIDS.”

World AIDS Day is on Saturday 1 December 2007 and Australians are being asked to raise awareness and show their support by attending a World AIDS Day event or by wearing a red ribbon – the international symbol of AIDS awareness.

World AIDS Day activities
• Thursday 29 November - AIDS memorial service – Christ Church Cathedral, Newcastle (7.30pm)
• Thursday 29 November - AIDS awareness stall – Royal Newcastle Centre foyer & Newcastle Community Health Centre (9am-3pm)
• Friday 30 November - AIDS awareness stall – Victoria St, Taree (all day)
• Saturday 1 December - AIDS memorial service and tree planting - AIDS Garden Grove, Carrington. (3pm) 

Contact: Tanya Carlyle

Phone: 0428 112 028