Today marks World AIDS Day 2020, and we at Yoxly stand proudly with those remembering the 33 million we have lost since the start of the epidemic, and the 38 million more who live with HIV around the globe.
We stand proudly with the HIV Commission, which has released their landmark report detailing the very real possibility of ending new HIV cases in England by 2030.
As the Commission so clearly says, and in which Yoxly wholeheartedly believes:
The message from the HIV Commission is 'test, test, test'. To find the estimated 5,900 undiagnosed people living with HIV in England, HIV testing must be normalised throughout the health service. Everyone should know their HIV status, and there needs to be equitable and easy access to this knowledge.
Read the full report at www.hivcommission.org.uk/report.
Similarly, Yoxly stands in solidarity with Terrence Higgins Trust (THT), the UK's leading HIV and sexual health charity. The work of THT is crucial as they endeavour to raise awareness, end stigma, provide HIV testing, and fight for equality and inclusivity in health and healthcare.
This World Aids Day, THT will host an online forum at 6:30pm where Nicola Jones, a Health Promotion Specialist at Terrence Higgins Trust Oxfordshire, will present her findings and recommendations for how we can fight stigma in our day to day lives, and start removing barriers to sexual health services.
We encourage you to register for this free event here.
This World AIDS Day there is the message of hope: we can end new cases of HIV in England by 2030. It is also a message of vigilance, but let's not forget the hope. And in this year, we could all use a little hope.