Over 70% of women living with HIV in UK are Black African – The Voice Online

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SHOULDER TO SHOULDER: The community march for change

WORLDWIDE THERE are 75 million HIV/AIDS cases, with *107,000 in the UK.

Over 70 per cent of women living with HIV in the UK are black African, and one in eight men who have sex with men in London hasHIV. This is totally unacceptable. The Safer Partnership challenges these statistics through HIV prevention work in Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham, which have two of the highest diagnosed rates of HIV in the UK.

Ignorance and fear are the main drivers of HIV transmission and stigma.

World AIDS Dayis about remembrance, support, and unity, but it is also about renewing a commitment to be the champions of our own sexual health; reflecting on our own levels of knowledge, behaviours, and responsibilities.

We can defeat HIV. It is now a manageable condition but early testing is essential. Testing is free, private and confidential, and only takes a few minutes – and it could save your life!

The Safer Partnership charities – Africa Advocacy Foundation (AAF), Ethnic Health Foundation (EHF), NAZ, and SHAKA – are all small black led charities. We do outreach in our local black communities and to faith communities. Our work includes providing one-to-one and group support for people living with HIV and those affected by HIV.

PASSIONATE: Vernal Scott, Sexual Health Coordinator and author of God’s Other Children: A London Memoir

We also provide training, education, rapid HIV testing, and condom distribution to African, Asian, and Caribbean communities. Whether heterosexual, gay, or bisexual, we can definitely help you, so please get in touch.

On behalf of the Safer Partnership, Vernal Scott, Sexual Health Coordinator, said: “I have been working on these issues since the 1980s and advise all black women and men to get tested as soon as possible. Put your mind at rest. Testing is so very quick but it can have life-long implications. If you are HIV positive, then we can start you on life-saving treatment. If you don’t have it, then we can advise you on how to remain that way. HIV does not discriminate, so find out your status and take control of your health.”

An advert by the Safer Partnership, comprising Africa Advocacy Foundation, Ethnic Health Foundation, NAZ, and SHAKA, funded by Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham councils.

*Public Health England

For more information and to buy your tickets to this event, please visit:
http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/world-aids-day-black-communities-and-hiv-m…