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Prince Harry calls for HIV testing to be seen as completely normal Prince Harry calls for HIV testing to be seen as completely normal
(about 3 hours later)
The Duke of Sussex has called for HIV testing to be seen as “completely normal and accessible” in a new video marking this year’s national HIV testing week. Prince Harry has called for HIV testing to be seen as “completely normal and accessible”, in a new video to mark national HIV testing week.
The duke said people should not be ashamed or embarrassed about taking a test, and instead should treat it in the same way as people protect against viruses like cold and flu. The Duke of Sussex said people should not be ashamed or embarrassed about taking a test, and instead should treat it in the same way as people protected themselves against viruses, such as flu.
In the video message, the duke said: “Taking an HIV test is something to be proud of – not something to be ashamed or embarrassed about. As much as you protect yourself at this time of year from illnesses and viruses like cold and flu, you can also protect your health by taking an HIV test.” In the video message, Harry said: “Taking an HIV test is something to be proud of – not something to be ashamed or embarrassed about. As much as you protect yourself at this time of year from illnesses and viruses like cold and flu, you can also protect your health by taking an HIV test.”
HIV and sexual health charity the Terrence Higgins Trust commended the duke’s support in tackling HIV stigma and normalising testing, as it works towards its aim of reducing the number of new HIV infections down to zero. The HIV and sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust commended the duke’s support in tackling HIV stigma and normalising testing, as it worked towards its aim of reducing the number of new HIV infections to zero.
But the charity said there needs to be greater focus on tackling “worryingly high rates of undiagnosed and late-stage HIV”. But the trust said there needed to be a greater focus on tackling “worryingly high rates of undiagnosed and late-stage HIV”.
About one in eight people with HIV are undiagnosed and unaware they have the virus, while 43% of those newly diagnosed in 2017 were diagnosed at a late stage of HIV, meaning damage to the immune system had already begun.About one in eight people with HIV are undiagnosed and unaware they have the virus, while 43% of those newly diagnosed in 2017 were diagnosed at a late stage of HIV, meaning damage to the immune system had already begun.
Regular testing and early diagnosis are key, with late diagnosis associated with a tenfold increased risk of short-term mortality.Regular testing and early diagnosis are key, with late diagnosis associated with a tenfold increased risk of short-term mortality.
The duke said it was worth celebrating a 28% drop in new HIV diagnoses over the last two years. But he also said this was no time for complacency. Harry said it was worth celebrating a 28% drop in new HIV diagnoses over the last two years, but it was no time for complacency.
Harry, wearing a red ribbon in solidarity with all those living with HIV, said: “We won’t bring an end to the human immunodeficiency virus until testing is seen as completely normal and accessible for everyone.” Wearing a red ribbon in solidarity with all those living with HIV, he said: “We won’t bring an end to the human immunodeficiency virus until testing is seen as completely normal and accessible for everyone.”
Harry has long advocated for the importance of HIV testing in the UK and around the world. When he was tested for HIV live on Facebook two years ago, there was a fivefold increase in orders for HIV tests from Terrence Higgins Trust. Harry has long advocated the importance of HIV testing in the UK and around the world. When he was tested for HIV live on Facebook two years ago, there was a fivefold increase in orders for HIV tests from Terrence Higgins Trust.
Ian Green, the chief executive of Terrence Higgins Trust, said: “We’re thrilled to have the duke’s continued support for tackling HIV stigma and normalising testing, ahead of what we hope will be the most successful national HIV testing week ever. Ian Green, the trust’s chief executive, said: “We’re thrilled to have the duke’s continued support for tackling HIV stigma and normalising testing, ahead of what we hope will be the most successful national HIV testing week ever.
“As His Royal Highness says, we protect ourselves from cold and flu at this time of year – so let’s protect ourselves against HIV by getting tested and knowing our status. It’s an ambitious aim, but we have a real opportunity to get to zero new HIV infections in the UK.” “… It’s an ambitious aim, but we have a real opportunity to get to zero new HIV infections in the UK.”
Aids and HIVAids and HIV
Prince HarryPrince Harry
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