Tameside marks World AIDS Day at Ashton Market

Starting conversations about HIV was the focus of a World AIDS Day display in Ashton Indoor Market, which is on show throughout December. Organised by Tameside Council’s Public Health team, the event on Monday 1 December aimed to share accurate information, highlight the importance of routine HIV testing and promote local support services.

Visitors had the chance to speak with representatives from George House Trust, a charity that supports people living with HIV to lead long, healthy and fulfilling lives. Red ribbons were also available for people to wear as a sign of solidarity.

HIV is not a life-limiting illness. When diagnosed early, treatment suppresses the virus to an undetectable level, meaning it cannot be passed on to partners or from mother to baby. This principle is known as Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U) and in Tameside, 97% of people receiving treatment have an undetectable viral load.

The borough’s HIV prevalence is 2.17 per 1,000 people aged 15-59, and 25% of new diagnoses are made late, when HIV has already begun to affect health. HIV does not discriminate by gender, ethnicity or sexual orientation; anyone who has unprotected sex is at risk. Nationally, new diagnoses occur among heterosexual women and men as well as gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men.

The only way for someone to know their status is to get tested and routine testing is essential to protect health and prevent onward transmission. However, despite advances in treatment, stigma remains a challenge, and the council is committed to tackling outdated views and supporting people living with HIV.

Councillor Taf Sharif, Tameside Council Executive Member for Population Health and Wellbeing, said: “World AIDS Day is an opportunity to challenge stigma and share the facts about HIV. Effective treatment means people diagnosed early can live long and healthy lives, and it also prevents transmission. We want to normalise HIV testing and show support for everyone living with HIV in Tameside.”

Anyone who needs more information or wants to book an STI test online should contact Locala by calling 0161 507 9460 or visiting locala.org.uk/services/sti-online-testing.