HIV Proud: What’s With The Stigma
woman smiling with equal sign in her hands

For decades, ever since HIV was first discovered in the U.S., a stigma has surrounded the disease — making people feel inferior by a diagnosis. Thankfully, HIV stigma is waning as medicine advances and more people are educated about the way the disease spreads.

 

How does the HIV stigma affect people’s lives?

One in seven people living with HIV are unaware they are positive. When faced with community stigma — thinking that the discovery of a positive HIV test might result in loss of friendships, employment, family ties and lead to insecurity and depression — individuals are understandably less likely to get tested.

However, it’s important to understand:

  1. Getting tested for HIV is available for free in many local clinics and through the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
  2. Today, there are a variety of HIV testing methods, and all of them are fast and painless.
  3. By not getting tested and knowing your status, it’s possible you may be HIV positive and contributing to the spread of HIV.
  4. If you are HIV positive, there is a large support network; you are not alone. In fact, help is available to you to ensure you’re able to receive medical treatment and stop the spread of HIV to loved ones.

 

Be the Change You Want to See 

Ending the stigma starts with you. Whether you are living with HIV or thinking about getting tested, you can influence how the future of HIV unfolds. Below are some ideas on how you can contribute to ending the stigma.

Educate.

For many years, HIV was a topic that people didn’t discuss. Misinformation and lack of education resulted in fear. Education plays an important role in ending the stigma. If you are a medical provider, someone living with HIV or a high school teacher, speaking openly about HIV and providing others with facts about advancement can help to break the cycle of stigmatization.

 Protect.

Throughout history people living with HIV have been fighting for equal rights, and there is still progress to be made. Understanding your rights and acting on violations help to prevent them from reoccurring. Staying up to date with anti-discrimination laws and challenging violence averts your rights from being violated.

Communicate.

Whether it is interpersonal, group or mass communication, it makes a difference. Talking about HIV puts an end to the circulation of false information and helps people feel confident about getting tested. When people start talking about the facts, the HIV stigma will cease to exist.

 

At Family Health Council of Central Pennsylvania, we can provide you with the support and resources you need to take control of your health. Contact us today to learn more.

 

 

Thriving with community

Thriving with community

by | Mar 17, 2023 | HIV,Individual Health | 0 Comments

Tim’m West – Educator, community builder and lifelong HIV advocate “When I tested positive at 26, I didn’t imagine 50. So, turning 50 was a spiritual moment for me. I...

Breaking down barriers: HIV care for trans women

Breaking down barriers: HIV care for trans women

by | Mar 10, 2023 | HIV,Individual Health | 0 Comments

6 tips to finding a healthcare provider Often excluded or wrongly identified in HIV research, we want to set the stage for transgender women to break down barriers to...

Don’t be risky while getting frisky

Don’t be risky while getting frisky

by | Feb 9, 2023 | HIV,Individual Health | 0 Comments

Five steps for safer sex while HIV+ If you’re HIV positive, you can still have safe sex – it just takes a few precautions. Reduce the risk of transmitting HIV and other...

Lady being diagnosed

Just diagnosed?

by | Feb 9, 2023 | HIV,Individual Health | 0 Comments

Four tips for managing mental health after finding out you’re HIV positive Confusion, anger, depression, and shock are normal emotions to experience following a...

Couple

I’m HIV positive. Now what?

by | Dec 29, 2022 | HIV,Individual Health | 0 Comments

There's no one-size-fits-all regimen for HIV – know your options Recently diagnosed with HIV? Living with a positive status and interested in changing your treatment...

Paired Hands

Starting a family with HIV

by | Dec 15, 2022 | HIV,Individual Health | 0 Comments

Can I have a child If I am HIV positive? Ready to start a family? Whether it is you or your partner with HIV, know there are ways to have a safe pregnancy. It just...

World AIDS Day

Make a difference this World AIDS Day

by | Dec 1, 2022 | HIV,Individual Health | 0 Comments

Overcoming inequalities and ending stigmas together For the last 34 years, each December 1, people worldwide unite to honor those who lost their lives to AIDS-related...

Partners

Can I hook up with HIV?

by | Oct 31, 2022 | HIV,Individual Health | 0 Comments

How to enjoy casual sex while protecting your partner Living with HIV doesn’t have to end your sex life, and you don’t have to wait for an undetectable status or to be...

HIV Ribbon

HIV testing: What should I know?

by | Oct 28, 2022 | HIV,Individual Health | 0 Comments

Learn about the three types of HIV tests, their accuracy and how to understand results Before World AIDS Day, Thursday, December 1, learn about HIV testing, its...