Raising awareness of HIV and sexual health
The Mayor and his London HIV Ambassador, Annie Lennox OBE, are working to raise awareness and increase knowledge about HIV and sexual health in London.
Raising awareness of HIV and sexual health
Half of all people with HIV in the UK live in London. Even with the effective treatments that are available in the UK, HIV related stigma remains a serious problem. HIV prejudice is often the result of ignorance about how HIV is passed on and unfounded fear of becoming infected.
This fear can stop people from seeking the advice they need, getting tested or disclosing their HIV-positive status to family, friends or employers.
London also has the highest prevalence of sexual ill health in the UK and some groups have a higher proportion of people living with HIV than others. In London, these are gay and bisexual men and black African men and women.
The Mayor and his HIV Ambassador work with partners across the capital to encourage Londoners to be aware of their HIV status, and make sure that they know the facts and reality about HIV and sexual health in London today. Addressing stigma so people at risk are being regularly tested is key to addressing this.
Some activities done to achieve this include:
- marking World AIDS Day (1 December) to raise awareness of HIV as a current issue for London; in 2014 and 2012 City Hall hosted receptions to raise awareness and address stigma. These events also provide the opportunity to thank London stakeholders for their efforts in tackling HIV, and to launch the National HIV Testing Week (23-30 November 2012) in order to improve early diagnosis and treatment
- using City Hall space to host HIV related art exhibitions for the public. Previously this has included a red ribbon art exhibition with contributions from Annie Lennox OBE, Gok Wan, Dr Christian Jessen, Maggi Hambling, Paul Smith, Matthew Williamson and Giles Deacon, each featuring the iconic red ribbon – the international symbol of HIV awareness and support – as the central motif
- convening experts to discuss key HIV and sexual health issues; in 2013 expert roundtables were held on HIV prevention in relation to drug use, and undiagnosed Hepatitis C infection
- promoting research on HIV and AIDS
- The Directors of Public Health (DsPH) pan London HIV testing campaign
See: National AIDS Trust and their 2014 survey on Public Knowledge and Attitudes.
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