World AIDS Day

World AIDS day is a United Nations day. It’s an opportunity to show support for the people living with HIV and AIDS around the world, recognises the advances in treatment, legal rights but also how it continues to affect people’s lives around the world.

Who celebrates?

Everyone – it’s a national awareness day!

How do people celebrate?

• People and organisations celebrate by raising awareness about HIV and AIDS and those that are affected around the world
• People may wear red ribbons on the day which represents HIV awareness
• For many it is also a time of remembrance of those who have been lost to AIDS.

What should I know?

• People on effective HIV treatment can’t infect others
• Anyone can contract HIV
• HIV isn’t contracted by everyday contact
• Over 105,200 people live with HIV in the UK
• 2 out of 3 people living with HIV in the UK are over 50
• 1 in 14 people in the UK living with the virus do not know they have it
• If you have HIV you automatically meet the government’s definition of having a disability under the equality act.

How can I support others?

• If you are sexually active get tested! You can order test kits online
• Use the resources to educate yourself about HIV and help dispel myths about HIV contraction
• Make sure your volunteers, employees and service users are aware of the reasonable adjustments available to them and that this includes people living with HIV.

World AIDS day resources for the workplace: https://www.worldaidsday.org/workplace/

National Aids Trust factsheet: https://www.nat.org.uk/about-hiv/hiv-statistics

Terrence Higgins Trust  Living Positive stories: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwspbA2qeKI7ySN1v7E34mCWAuXYoGN-9

Terrence Higgins Trust: Test Kits: https://www.tht.org.uk/our-services/phone-and-post/low-cost-and-free-hiv-self-test-kits