World AIDS Day Raises Awareness and Inspires Community Advocacy

world aids day

World AIDS Day, recognized on December 1 every year since 1988, is an international day dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection. It is also a day to celebrate those living with HIV and those advocating for our communities every day.

World AIDS Day Focuses on Ending Inequalities and AIDS

The theme of World AIDS Day 2021 is “End Inequalities. End AIDS.” With a special focus on reaching people who have been left behind, The World Health Organization and its partners are highlighting the growing inequalities in access to essential HIV services.

COVID-19 Has Increased Challenges for HIV/AIDS Community

Worldwide there are an estimated 37,700,000 people living with HIV, and 1,500,000 of them were newly infected in 2020. Only 73 percent of adults living with HIV received lifelong antiretroviral therapy (ART) in 2020.

Now, COVID-19 is exacerbating inequities and disruptions to services, making the lives of many people living with HIV more challenging. We look forward and hope for a better future, knowing we have all the tools needed to help end the epidemic.

Learn about World AIDS Day

What Health Care Professionals Do to Help

  • Advocate for maintaining high-quality essential HIV services during the COVID-19 pandemic
  • Incorporate HIV services into routine health interventions
  • Deliver care that is kind, respectful of human rights, and without a stigma attached
  • Ensure you are trained and aware of infection prevention and control, and that you use appropriate measures
  • Protect your safety and that of the people you care for

New Methods Available to Fight the Disease

PrEP (Pre-exposure Prophylaxis)

Now, those at risk for HIV can take one pill a day to prevent contracting HIV from an infected partner or from drug sharing practices.  We have several health care professionals that prescribe PrEP at our health centers.

Undetectable = Untransmissible (U=U)

U=U means that if an HIV-infected individual takes good care of themselves and their HIV is well controlled, they have very little chance of spreading the infection to others.

Safe Sex Practices

Pre-sex STD testing for both partners, male condoms, female condoms, clean needle programs, and self-education are all ways to prevent an infection. Please pass on the message to others.

Harmony Healthcare Long Island recognizes World AIDS Day

Our Patient Education Week Starts December 1

To recognize World AIDS Day, join us as we provide on-site patient education for the week of December 1 as we perform HIV risk assessments with a chance to win an Amazon Gift card in a raffle. See our PrEP Coordinator, Margarita Sotelo for more details or send her an email at msotelo@hhli.org.

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