It’s a sad fact that after more than 35 years as a practicing HIV clinician in the UK, I still see people with HIV who only feel comfortable disclosing their status in the clinic and continue to hear stories of discrimination such as people who are made to use separate cutlery at family gatherings.
HIV stigma - both internalised and externally experienced - remains a problem worldwide. A recent global survey of 30,000 people living with HIV from GNP+ paints a bleak picture of how internalised stigma manifests itself – 71% find it difficult to tell people; 68% hide their status from others; 38% feel ashamed and 23% say it makes them feel dirty.
This is then compounded by peoples’ daily experiences - like being harassed on the street, aware of gossip and even experiencing discrimination within what should be a safe space for everyone, the healthcare setting.
In order to #EndTheEpidemic, we must continue to fight for a future free from stigma. That’s why I was proud to represent ViiV Healthcare and join forces with @florenceriakoanam from @TheGlobalNetworkofPeopleLiving With HIV and @cnninternationalcommercial to discuss both the challenges stigma presents and how we can continue to work together to dismantle it. #WeWontStop
Breaking down stigma is key to building a future free from #HIV. As a healthcare community, we must continue to use empathy, education, and innovation to dismantle barriers, challenge stigma and enable greater access to care.
👉 Read more in our joint article with CNN International Commercial , featuring The Global Network of People Living with HIV (GNP+) Florence Riako Anam and our very own Annemiek de Ruiter: https://lnkd.in/dwJRKakA
#EndingHIV #PutPeopleFirst #WeWontStop #ZeroStigmaDay
Breaking down stigma is helping build a future free from HIV - ViiV Healthcare - CNN
sponsorcontent.cnn.com
Success is walking from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm
3moWorth attending