Resources to Learn More About HIV/AIDS This World AIDS Day

World AIDS Day, recognised every year on December 1st, is about working towards reducing the transmission of HIV between people, and improving the treatment and conditions for those who are living with HIV or AIDS, including tackling the stigma associated with it. As part of that mission, in this article we’ll be exploring some of the places you can learn more about HIV and AIDS as part of World AIDS Day.

The International AIDS Society - https://www.iasociety.org/

Working since 1988, the International AIDS Society - the IAS - is the largest collection of HIV+ professionals, working to reduce the impact of HIV around the globe. From putting on conferences around education, prevention, and the science behind fighting HIV transmission, to creating funds for tackling HIV transmission and programmes to this end. Using the mantra “science, people, progress”, the IAS breaks its work down simply: by following the science, the breakthroughs and the developments, by investing in a workforce and the next generation of HIV+ professionals, and by advocating informed policy around HIV and AIDS, the IAS is a go-to for finding out more about HIV and the fight against the epidemic.

UNAIDS - https://www.unaids.org/en

As part of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals 2030, the UNAIDS organisation is leading the global effort to hit the 90, 90, 90 goal. It places people living with HIV and people affected by the virus at the top, making the decisions, and at the centre of approaching the AIDS response. It creates paths for countries and communities to get on to ending AIDS and is an advocate for addressing the policy barriers to the AIDS response. UNAIDS has shaped public policy on HIV at all levels and has mobilized investment around policy using science and evidence. It has built health and community systems, established legal frameworks and shaped public opinion towards creating healthy and resilient societies.

The Centre for Disease Control - https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/index.html

The CDC, the US Government’s department for public health, keeps a wide variety of information available for the public on HIV, including around transmission, treatment, and living with HIV and AIDS. Combining useful statistics, helpful insights, and information around the stigma associated with HIV, this platform is a great place to start learning more about HIV and what having it means. Aside from the information available, the CDC also works with other organisations to coordinate the effort against HIV and AIDS, to slow transmission and help people seek treatment.

Siemens Healthineers - https://www.siemens-healthineers.com/clinical-specialities/infectious-disease/learn-more-about-hiv

Siemens’ website is easy to access and contains a plethora of information around HIV and AIDS. In addition to providing statistics, Siemens also includes webinars and talks on the subject, on topics such as testing, tackling the stigma, and living with HIV or AIDS. Informative, simple, and straight forward, Siemens is a resource on a number of viruses and well informed in the fight against them. Their mission is key: to empower healthcare to give treatment with precision, from an informed position. Check out their talks!

The World Health Organisation - https://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hiv-aids

The World Health Organisation (WHO) is held responsible for overseeing global health, and keeping countries informed and up to date on the situation with a number of viruses and diseases, as well as epidemics and outbreaks. In addition to this function, however, they also provide educational resources around viruses like HIV and AIDS, and their website includes a handy fact sheet that paints a better picture. From statistics around transmission to how livelihoods for people diagnosed with HIV and AIDS has increased, the WHO has built a powerful collection of facts that establishes a timeline, and hope, that HIV and AIDS can be reduced to meet the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

Avert - https://www.avert.org/about-hiv-aids/what-hiv-aids

Avert is an organization dedicated to leading the way for HIV and sexual education. Through cleverly utilising technology, and digital opportunities, they have been able to collate information into bite-sized pieces, including videos and quick facts, to help propagate the spread of vital information surrounding HIV and AIDS. Through sticking to evidence, utilising a creative approach, and remaining people-orientated, Avert has created a platform that can be used across a number of ages and demographics to make powerful points about HIV and sexual education, and what more can be done to combat the stigmas.

HIV.gov - https://www.hiv.gov/hiv-basics/overview/about-hiv-and-aids/what-are-hiv-and-aids

HIV.gov is the US Government’s official website overseeing and informing the public on HIV and AIDS, and the Federal Government’s response to the epidemic. From their website, the organisation clearly outlines what HIV and AIDS are, how they can be transmitted, who is at risk of infection, and symptoms to look out for. From one website, the US government has combined resources necessary to help you to understand the situation better, through a mix of easy-to-access, yet scientific, information made available to the public.

Teens Health - https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/std-hiv.html

Looking to help educate young people on HIV and AIDS? Look no further - Teens Health has you covered by approaching the subject in an age-appropriate, informative way which breaks down the virus, its symptoms, and how it can be transmitted. Endlessly useful for educating in schools, family, and beyond, Teens Health has succinctly summed up the situation and provided it in a way that encourages conversation and crossing over the stigmas. It also provides helpful tips and advice for teens on how to approach the topic and how to seek the necessary support.

The National AIDS Trust - https://www.nat.org.uk/about-hiv/understanding-hiv

The National AIDS Trust, who work closely with World AIDS Day, seek to work as a catch-all for information around HIV and AIDS. Their work includes supporting people with HIV during the coronavirus pandemic, and exploring the risks the pandemic poses to people with HIV and AIDS, some of whom may be immunocompromised. Through providing training to organisations and individuals, launching successful education campaigns around symptoms, transmissions, and stigma, the organisation also seeks to ensure that no one should face stigma, abuse, or hardship for having HIV or AIDS.

amfAR - https://www.amfar.org/facts-about-hiv-and-aids/

amfAR has a simple motto: Making AIDS History. Their aim is to help prevent HIV transmission and support those living with HIV and AIDS, and to that end, they have produced helpful pages on information about HIV and AIDS answering all questions you may have. Whether you’re asking about transmission, risks, symptoms, testing, or other topics, amfAR has it covered and is there to provide helpful, all-encompassing answers that will better inform you about HIV and AIDS and the current guidance, support, and situation around them.