[HIV-STD-Prevention] World AIDS Day - Remember and Commit #u#

[Bortoli Gianna A]

Today is World AIDS Day. On this day, and every day, we remember the people who have died from an HIV-related illness. We support those who live with HIV, and those who are disproportionately impacted by HIV infection. We recommit to our shared responsibility to work together globally to end the HIV pandemic. We also thank all those who came before us, fighting for justice and equity, and the long-term survivors who continue to do so today.

HIV testing, prevention, and treatment have all improved. We have the tools to end new HIV infections in Oregon. To commemorate World AIDS Day, please share these two important facts with as many people as you can:

  *   PrEP<https://www.endhivoregon.org/prep-pep/>, a daily pill, pills taken around the time of sex, or a periodic injection is 99% effective at preventing HIV and it's covered by most insurance.
  *   People living with HIV who are on effective HIV treatment and achieve viral suppression cannot transmit HIV to sex partners and can safely breast/chestfeed their babies. People living with HIV are living long, healthy, sexually active lives.  Find out more- Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U)<https://www.endhivoregon.org/treatment/#image_content>.

Here are more things you can do to commemorate World AIDS Day:

  1.  Review Oregon's 2023 Annual Progress Report<https://www.endhivoregon.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/OHA_EndHIV_2023_Annual-Progress-Report.pdf>/Informe anual de advances<https://www.endhivoregon.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/OHA_EndHIV_2023_Annual-Progress-Report_Spanish.pdf> (English version attached), which focuses on progress made towards our shared goals, and our five-year strategy<https://www.endhivoregon.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/OHA_EndHIVOregon_5-year-strategy-1.pdf> to End HIV/STI in Oregon, which focuses on the four pillars of diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and responding to end inequities.
  2.  Visit our data dashboards<https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/DISEASESCONDITIONS/HIVSTDVIRALHEPATITIS/Pages/countyleveldata.aspx> to see how HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, like syphilis and gonorrhea, are affecting different communities in Oregon, including yours.
  3.  Get tested<https://www.endhivoregon.org/testing/>. Testing is easy, but fewer than 4 in 10 adult Oregonians have ever been tested for HIV. Ask your health provider, find a test site near you, or - if you are in an area where testing is limited - consider testing at home or other private settings using a mail-order self-testing kit.
  4.  Tell someone how treatment saves lives. People who test positive for HIV can start HIV medications as soon as possible. Starting medication right away can improve a person's health and help prevent new infections. Resources<https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/DISEASESCONDITIONS/HIVSTDVIRALHEPATITIS/HIVCARETREATMENT/CAREASSIST/Documents/OHA_EndHIV_CAREAssist-Rapid%20Start%20fact%20sheet_ENGLISH.pdf> like sample packs of medication and help with insurance are available to avoid delays.
  5.  Learn about other sexually transmitted infection (STI)<https://www.oregon.gov/oha/ph/diseasesconditions/hivstdviralhepatitis/sexuallytransmitteddisease/pages/index.aspx>. Infections like syphilis, congenital syphilis, and gonorrhea are on the rise in Oregon and can often occur alongside HIV. Untreated STI can cause serious health complications, and some, including HIV and syphilis, can be passed from a pregnant person to their fetus.
  6.  Say thank you, volunteer, and/or donate to community partners: Community partnerships ensure that services are designed and led by communities. Find a local agency<http://www.endhivoregon.org/partners/> in your community and get involved.

Thank you for your dedication to ending new HIV infections in the State of Oregon. HIV is a community issue. We all have an HIV status, and we all play a role. Together, let's end new infections. It starts with each of us.

[cid:image001.png at 01DA244F.57FCC2D0]<http://www.endhivoregon.org/>







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