HALIFAX: Nova Scotia is is marking two HIV/AIDS awareness weeks in November and December and World AIDS Day today, December 1.
They honour people living with HIV/AIDS and those who have lost their lives to AIDS worldwide. HIV/AIDS Awareness Week is November 24 to December 1 and Indigenous AIDS Awareness Week is December 1 to 7.
A red ribbon flag was raised at Province House Dec. 1 on World AIDS Day.
The theme for World AIDS Day is End Inequalities. End AIDS. End Pandemics. It highlights the need to end the inequities, stigma and discrimination that worsen pandemics like HIV/AIDS and COVID-19.
“We know the pandemic has been difficult for many people, including people either currently living with HIV/AIDS or at risk of contracting the virus,” said Health and Wellness Minister Michelle Thompson. “There has been great progress in recent decades, but we need to further reduce stigma and ensure we don’t leave anyone behind.”
The Nova Scotia Advisory Commission on AIDS is an arm’s-length agency that provides advice to the provincial government on HIV/AIDS and related matters.
Quotes:
“This is a time to recognize the important work that remains to be done. This includes making it easier to access testing, treatment and prevention measures. We must also reduce the many forms of stigma and inequities that increase the risk of HIV infection.”
– Michelle Proctor-Simms, Director, Nova Scotia Advisory Commission on AIDS
Quick Facts:
— 19 new cases of HIV were reported to public health in Nova Scotia in 2019; case data is not yet available for 2020 and 2021
— the average yearly incidence is about 15 new cases
— 922 HIV cases have been diagnosed in Nova Scotia since 1983, when reporting began, until the end of 2019 (this does not include those who were first diagnosed outside of Nova Scotia)
— the government increased access to HIV prevention medication by adding it to provincial pharmacare programs in July 2018
Additional Resources:
For information on getting tested for HIV and other sexually transmitted blood-borne infections in Nova Scotia visit: https://www.acns.ns.ca/info-resources/testing.html
For information about HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C, and World AIDS Day, visit: https://www.catie.ca
For information on Indigenous AIDS Awareness Week, visit: https://caan.ca/events-and-workshops/indigenous-aids-awareness-week/