By Beds SU
Sunday, 1 December 2024
What is World Aids Day?
World Aids Day is a global movement dedicated to bringing people together in the fight against Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Since 1988, groups around the world have taken this time to stand together to show solidarity against the stigma surrounding HIV (World Aids Day, 2024). The theme this year is “Take the rights: My health, my right” with the World Health Organisation (WHO) calling for the leaders on the global stage to address the inequalities that have been negatively impacting the progress in the fight against AIDS (World Health Organization, 2024).
Why is this important?
With around 105,000 people in the UK living with HIV, it is estimated that there are over 38 million people around the world who are living with the virus. When reflecting on the known history, over 35 million people have died from HIV or AIDS related illnesses within the last 40 years, which unfortunately makes this one of the most destructive pandemics in human history (World Aids Day, 2024).
Thanks to the advancements in science and technology, UK Doctors have been able to treat people with HIV through antiretroviral treatment which is causing fewer people in the UK to develop Advanced HIV or AIDS (Terrence Higgins Trust, 2024).
Even though World AIDS Day has passed, we can still stand hand in hand, united in the shared commitment to a world where HIV/AIDS is no longer a threat. But this can only exist once the stigmas, misinformation and discrimination ceases to exist. It's a day to remember, reflect, and renew the collective effort to end the spread of HIV, support those affected, and work towards a future free from the burden of this global health challenge (Luton Sexual Health, 2024). For more information on Worlds AIDS Day and for how you can get involved, you can visit the official page here.
If you would like to join a community within the SU to support World AIDS Day, you can join here
Key Links
Key Facts
Sexual Health Services
Luton Sexual Health
1st Floor Arndale House, Luton Point, Luton, LU1 2LJ
Telephone - 01582 497070
iCaSH Bedfordshire
Kings Brook (iCaSH Bedfordshire)
5 St John's St, Bedford MK42 0AH
Telephone – 0300 300 3030
London Bridge
Burrell St Sexual Health Clinic
4-5 Burrell St, London SE1 0UN
Telephone – 020 7188 6666
Birmingham
Whittal Street Clinic
Whittal Street, Birmingham, B4 6DH
Telephone – 0121 237 5700
Brookside – Aylesbury
Station Way,
Aylesbury, HP20 2SR
Telephone – 0300 303 2880
No. 624
624 South Fifth Street, Milton Keynes Central Milton Keynes,
Buckinghamshire, MK9 2FX
Telephone – 0300 300 3030
Report a hate crime via third party reporting centres
Bedford & Luton - the Bedfordshire Community Mediation Service:https://communitymediationservice.com/
Birmingham – Khidmat Centre
2a Heather Rd, Birmingham, B10 9TE
0121 773 8619
London Bridge – Community Alliance to Combat Hate (CATCH)
https://www.catch-hatecrime.org.uk
Aylesbury & Milton Keynes – Reading Voluntary Action Hate Crime Network
info@hatecrimenetwork.org.uk
0300 1234 148
National Reporting Centres
Crimestoppers
0800 555111
www.crimestoppers-uk.org
Tell MAMA
0800 4561226
https://tellmamauk.org