Hastings and Prince Edward Counties/Dec. 1, 2023
Today is World AIDS Day and the beginning of Indigenous AIDS Awareness Week. This day provides an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and raise awareness of actions individuals can take to protect themselves and others. This year the United Nations AIDS theme is Let Communities Lead. This theme is a call to action to support the communities that are leading the way to end AIDS.
On this World AIDS Day, Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) is reminding our community of the need to work together to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS. There’s more information available today than ever before, including ways to protect yourself and others. Unfortunately, despite these advancements, approximately four Canadians are infected with HIV every day, nearly one third of these are females. Individuals can help prevent the spread of HIV by taking the time to talk to their health care provider (HCP), knowing their HIV status, and using condoms or another form of barrier protection.
Medical advancements have made it possible for individuals living with HIV to live long and healthy lives. In addition, treatments are available that can reduce the risk of passing HIV on to others or lower one’s chance of getting infected. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) makes it possible for an individual with HIV to reduce the amount of the virus in their system, so it is undetectable. If the virus is undetectable, it can’t be spread to others – undetectable equals untransmissible. For individuals who may be at higher risk of getting HIV, PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) medication is now available in Ontario that reduces the risk of HIV transmission. PrEP is used by HIV-negative people to help prevent HIV transmission. For people who take PrEP as prescribed and receive regular medical care, getting HIV through sex is rare. Additional information about PrEP can be found by visiting www.catie.ca, Canada’s source for HIV information. To find a PrEP Clinic near you visit ontarioprep.ca.
To access HIV testing and talk about whether PrEP is right for you, individuals are encouraged to see their HCP. For those without a HCP or who experience barriers to accessing care, appointments are available at HPEPH’s sexual health clinics by calling 613-966-5500, ext. 243. Public health also offers free condoms at all office locations.
“The best way to protect yourself and your partners from HIV is to know your status and to wear a condom or other form of barrier protection,” says Dr. Ethan Toumishey, Medical Officer of Health and CEO at HPEPH. “At the community level, we will continue to provide person-centred public health services and advocate for public policy to support HIV prevention and treatment services.”
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Media contacts
Maureen Hyland, Communications Specialist
hyland.maureen@hpeph.ca
Jessica Klein, Communications Specialist
jklein@hpeph.ca
About Hastings Prince Edward Public Health
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) is a public health agency that serves the counties of Hastings and Prince Edward from four local offices. HPEPH is situated and provides services on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe, Huron-Wendat and Haudenosaunee people. We monitor the health of our local population, deliver programs and services within our communities, and help develop healthy public policies. We provide information and support in many areas to help improve the health and well-being of our residents. Together with our communities, we help people become as healthy as they can be. For more information, please visit hpePublicHealth.ca. You can also find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
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