London Boroughs launch new HIV prevention campaign

Do It London are harbouring against HIVs as they have set up their latest protection programme on behalf of all London Boroughs.

The multi-media social marketing campaign, launched in May 2021, highlights the effectiveness of HIV prevention and encourages key affected groups to reject complacency. 

Do It London have called their new scheme ‘Be Sure. Know the Four’, which promotes four methods of prevention that are also known as combination prevention.

The four proven methods of the combination approach are: testing regularly, using condoms and HIV prevention medicine and for people who have been diagnosed as HIV positive – achieving an ‘undetectable’ viral load using antiretroviral medication.

London has displayed positive progress in reducing new HIV diagnoses in recent years – in 2021 infections fell by 7% and decreased by an overall 66% between 2015-2021.

However, according to Do It London, HIV remains an important public health challenge in the capital and the danger of complacency could threaten to reverse the good work they have been doing.

Cllr Nesile Caliskan, London Council’s Executive Member for Health and Care said: ‘When boroughs come together and collaborate to tackle key public health challenges, we have been able to see real change across our city.

‘HIV is no exception, which is why we continue to champion HIV prevention through this targeted joint campaign.

‘In London we have set ourselves the ambitious task of ending new HIV diagnoses by 2030. London boroughs are committed to this aim and the latest Do It London campaign will contribute to getting us to that milestone.’

Robbie Currie, Lead Commissioner of LHPP said: ‘With recent advancements made in HIV prevention, it is crucial that those communities which are disproportionately affected by HIV are informed and understand how they can protect themselves, and their sexual partners, from possible HIV infection.

‘This campaign is a timely reminder that, despite new HIV diagnoses going down, we must remain committed in raising awareness that HIV is preventable, that an HIV diagnosis is treatable, and that treatment acts as prevention.’

The ‘Be Sure. Know the Four’ campaign launched this week and will run through the autumn period, including World AIDS Day on December 1, and will end on December 12, 2022.

Photo by Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition