December 1st is World AIDS Day

Authored by: Sheena

December 1^st is World AIDS Day

World AIDS Day is held on the 1^st December each year and is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV and to commemorate people who have died. World AIDS Day was the first ever global health day, held for the first time in 1988.

Why should youth talk about HIV/AIDS Awareness?
In 2014, youth (aged 15–29 years) accounted for 23% of new HIV diagnoses in 2014.

Some of this population includes LGBTQ youth, and some groups (being street-involved, using injection drugs, and men who have sex with men) are at a higher risk. Having HIV isn’t just something LGBTQ people get – all people need to practice safer sex, and get tested if they are sexually active.

Practicing safer sex and getting tested for HIV (and other sexually transmitted diseases and infections) are all part of taking care of our health!

Where can I learn more about PrEP, the pill to prevent HIV?
The AIDS Coalition of NS is having a a public information session on PrEP, January 31st in 2018. You can learn more about that event here!

Having HIV/AIDS doesn’t make someone bad and there is treatment available to live a long life. There’s still stigma, myths and misinformation attached to living with HIV/AIDS. We need to end that stigma so we can talk about it, know our own status, prevent the spread of HIV, and make safer spaces for people living with HIV/AIDS.

Where can I read more about HIV/AIDS?

• Scarleteen: What is HIV?
• Scarleteen: Condom basics
• AIDS Coalition of Nova Scotia: HIV & Young People
• CATIE: HIV Disclosure, A Guide for Youth

Where can I go for HIV testing?  
Youth-Specific Testing Options:

• Chat with your School’s Teen Health Nurse:
  http://novascotia.ca/dhw/healthy-development/youth-yhc.asp
  Youth Health Centres (YHCs) are currently accessible in 52 locations across Nova Scotia. These centres provide young people with health education, information, referral, follow-up and support, as well as some clinical services. The majority of the centres are located in high schools across the province.
• The Red Door (Kentville)
  http://www.thereddoor.ca/what-we-offer/index.html
  The Red Door in Kentville: 902-679-1411 or info@thereddoor.ca
• If you feel comfortable and, you can talk to your family doctor about an HIV test.

Other Services and Information:

• Halifax Sexual Health Center:
  Halifax Sexual Health Centre offers one of two anonymous HIV testing programs in mainland Nova Scotia. Anonymous testing and counselling is offered at the clinic by our friendly HIV Clinic Coordinator.
  6009 Quinpool Road, Suite 201 Halifax, NS . 902.455.9656.
  http://www.hshc.ca/?q=content/anonymous-hiv-testing
• Sexual Health Nova Scotia Member Centres
  There are six SHNS Member Centres throughout the province that provide sexual and reproductive health information, education and resources as well as referrals, condoms and pregnancy testing to people of all ages in an inclusive space free of judgement.
• The ALLY Center of Cape Breton:
  The ALLY Center of Cape Breton is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to prevent the spread of blood borne pathogens in the community and to create a supportive environment for those infected and/or affected by blood borne pathogens. (902) 567-1766. 
  http://aidscoalitionofcapebreton.ca/services/
• AIDS Coalition of Nova Scotia (Halifax) : How To Get Tested
• Capital Health Sexually Transmitted Disease/Infection (STD/STI) Clinic 
  

 

Tags: health , HIV , World AIDS day