World AIDS Day takes place on 1st December 2024, led by the National AIDS Trust whose goal is to end new HIV transmissions by 2030.
It’s a day we show solidarity with people living with HIV and remember the lives lost.
This World AIDS Day, ask yourself how you can help to end the stigma around HIV and AIDS. Everyone has a role to make the world a better place for people living with HIV.
What is HIV?
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that damages the cells in your immune system and weakens your ability to fight everyday infections and disease.
HIV is a long-term, manageable medical condition. If diagnosed early and with the right treatment, a person living with HIV can expect to live a long, healthy life and not worry about passing the virus on to others.
Visit the NHS website for more information about HIV and AIDS.
HIV in Greater Manchester
Greater Manchester is part of the Fast-Track Cities initiative. A global partnership committed to reaching zero new HIV transmissions and zero AIDS-related deaths.
To support achievement of the Fast-Track City goals, and end all new transmissions of HIV by 2030, NHS Greater Manchester invests in work to tackle HIV.
We bring together people, clinical services, and voluntary community services (in particular The PaSH (Passionate about Sexual Health) Partnership) to support communities that have an increased likelihood of living with or acquiring HIV.
Progress has been made within recent years on HIV transmissions, diagnosis, and care across Greater Manchester – ahead of target. This includes:
- 95% of people in Greater Manchester knowing their HIV status.
- 97% of people diagnosed with HIV access treatment.
- 97% of people accessing treatment have an undetectable viral load – meaning they are unable to pass HIV on through sexual contact.
- There has been a 52% reduction in new HIV diagnoses in Greater Manchester (people first diagnosed in the UK) between 2014 and 2023.
- The proportion of people diagnosed late with HIV in Greater Manchester has reduced from 45% of new diagnoses in 2011-2013 to 36% of new diagnoses in 2021-2023. This compares to a national average of 44% in 2021-2023
However, data suggest there are differences in progress on HIV between different groups and geographies. For example, the latest national HIV data shows that the number of heterosexual men and women newly diagnosed in England with HIV has increased by more than 30% since 2022. With the steepest rise being in ethnic minority heterosexuals, rising by 45% compared to the previous year.
Get tested.
Do you know your HIV status? Get tested and encourage those in your life to get tested too.
There are many ways you can get tested for HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in Greater Manchester.
- GM PaSH get tested website.
- Visit the bha website for booking links and details for HIV testing.
- Visit the LGBT foundation website for booking information for sexual health.
- Test with Freetesting.
Wear a red ribbon.
The iconic red ribbon you see people wearing on World AIDS Day is a symbol of support for anyone who has been affected by HIV and AIDS.
Visit the Worlds AIDS day website for more information about the day and other ways to get involved.
We display our red ribbons proudly on World AIDS day in solidarity with anyone affected by HIV in Greater Manchester and beyond.
World Aids Day vigil.
A World Aids Day vigil is taking place on Sunday 1st December at 6pm at Sackville Gardens in Manchester. This is an opportunity to remember people we have lost, show our solidarity with people living with HIV around the world and commit ourselves to ending HIV stigma and discrimination.
Find out more about this event on the George House Trust website.
