By Rosalind Russell – HIV Awareness Week, hosted by Réseau ACCESS Network, is an annual awareness campaign about HIV that leads up to World AIDS Day on December 1.
Spokesperson Angèl Riess says the purpose of the campaign is to share knowledge about HIV, advances in treatment, pathways to care, advocate for change, and honour those living or those lost to HIV in the Sudbury and Manitoulin districts.
She says this week’s activities range from a women-centered talk to a lecture from Scott Neufeld on Tuesday to a free movie night at Sudbury Indie Cinema featuring a showing of the film Philadelphia, the first mainstream Hollywood film to portray gay people in a positive light.
Riess adds the Agency will also provide education about the changes that have occurred in HIV testing, treatment, and care since the 1990s.
HIV care has advanced significantly, offering many effective options for prevention, testing, and treatment. Today’s HIV medications are easier to take with fewer side effects. Prevention tools like PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) are highly effective at preventing HIV transmission and can be taken daily or on-demand depending on individual needs. Getting screened for HIV is now more accessible and convenient than ever.
People can choose the testing option that works best for them:
· Ones regular healthcare provider
· Sexual health clinics
· Community organizations like Réseau ACCESS Network
· HIV self-testing kits
HIV self-test kits are the newest option, giving people the choice to test privately at home. These kits are available for free through getakit.ca. For those who prefer in-person support and
guidance, Réseau ACCESS Network offers confidential testing services in a welcoming, judgment-free environment.
According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, approximately 65,270 people were living with HIV in Canada at the end of 2022. Among these individuals, one in ten were unaware of their HIV status. New HIV diagnoses increased by 24.9% in 2022 compared to 2021, with 1,833 people newly diagnosed. While the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily affected access to testing and treatment services, Canada continues to make progress toward the global 95-95-95 targets: 89% of people know their HIV status, 85% of people who know their status are receiving HIV treatment, and 95% of people on treatment have achieved viral suppression.
For more detail about HIV Awareness events or Réseau ACCESS Network’s services visit www.reseauaccessnetwork.com
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