Today is World AIDS Day, a global movement to unite people in the fight against HIV and AIDS. Since 1988, communities have stood together on World AIDS Day to show strength and solidarity against HIV stigma and to remember lives lost.
It has also been 40 years since the death of Terrence Higgins, who was the first recorded British person to die of HIV/AIDS.
Since then, we have made huge progress in the testing, diagnosis and treatment of HIV/AIDS. Today, people living with HIV can continue to lead very normal lives. It is essential to remember, however, that HIV remains a critical global health issue, with millions of people living with the virus and many more at risk of infection.
Despite progress over the years, the Terrence Higgins Trust estimates that there are still 4,400 undiagnosed people living with HIV in England. We must ensure that these people are found.
On World Aids Day, I am urging Derbyshire and Erewash residents to get a free HIV test. It is estimated that in 2022, 4320 people were tested for HIV in Derbyshire. It would be great if we can increase this figure come next year’s World AIDS Day.
So please, if you can, get tested. Free self-sampling HIV test kits are available to people from certain areas in England here.
