The Health Board supports HIV Testing Week (14-24 May 2021)
ABOUT TESTING WEEK
HIV Testing Week is the 14-24 May 2021, this is a biannual campaign that encourages partner organisations in community, health care and policy institutions throughout Wales to unite for one week twice a year to increase testing efforts and promote awareness of the benefits of earlier hepatitis and HIV testing.
Fast Track Cardiff and Vale, a coalition of NGO’s, health care professionals, academic researches and campaigners; is urging organisations across Wales to join the campaign and help eradicate new transmissions of HIV by 2030.
WHY IS IT NEEDED?
Wales has a higher prevalence of HIV stigma and late HIV diagnoses than much of the UK. Figures also suggest that the newly introduced postal testing kit is increasing testing figures in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic; and HIV Testing Week is a great opportunity to showcase the impact this has had and encourage more people to test.
Misinformation and misconceptions play a large role in HIV Stigma and can create a barrier to getting tested. This HIV Testing Week it is important we challenge our understanding of the facts in order to educate and inform ourselves and others about the support that is available.
As the world re-opens and people become more sexually active out of lockdown, it is important that they do so safely and that we make the most of the reduced period of transmission. This is a once in a lifetime chance to prevent new HIV transmissions on a national scale.
You can read more about HIV in Wales in Fast Track Cardiff & Vale’s report here.
KEY FACTS
Knowing your HIV status is the first step to protecting yourself and others. Take pride in knowing yours.
HIV testing in Wales has never been easier. Order your free confidential postal test kit today at bit.ly/HIVWales
Anyone can get HIV. It isn’t limited to any one sexuality, race, religion or gender. We all have a responsibility if we have been sexually active to get tested and know our status.
Late diagnosis can leave lasting damage to your health and increases the risk of transmitting HIV to others as a result of not knowing your status. Don't wait to get tested.
With modern HIV treatment you can live as long as anyone else, but you cannot get treated if you don’t know your status.
If you are sexually active, there is now a treatment ( PrEP) which will prevent you getting HIV and which is now widely available from sexual health clinics across Wales.
GET INVOLVED
During Testing Week Fast Track Cardiff and Vale will be running a campaign across their social media channels and they need your help to spread the word.
You can download template social media messages and images here.
They will be posting across Facebook, Twitter and Instagram; why not give them a share.
We hope you can join them and us in raising awareness of HIV testing and help break down the barriers that prevent people from accessing vital services.