In the week leading up to World AIDS Day on Wednesday 1st December, Terrence Higgins Trust is urging everyone in the UK to recognise the impact of the HIV epidemic both here and across the world. Last year, more than 6,600 people were diagnosed with HIV in the UK, and the figure for this year is set to rise even further.

Garry Sheen, Regional Manager for THT East said: “Someone in the UK finds out they have HIV every 90 minutes, and it is now the fastest-growing serious health condition in the country. This World AIDS Day, take the time to think about your own sexual health, and also look at some of your beliefs about HIV – are you as well-informed as you think?

Garry continued: “Demand for our services in Essex is increasing all the time and we need your support now more than we’ve ever done. You can help by wearing a red ribbon to show your support for people with HIV, donating time or money to Terrence Higgins Trust or by joining our e-campaign at www.tht.org.uk/campaign.”

THT East is taking part in the Hamlet Court Road community festive celebrations on Monday 29th November, and will have a stand promoting World AIDS Day and THT’s local services. On World AIDS Day, staff and volunteers will have a stand in the restaurant area at the University of Essex. There will also be a World AIDS Day art week at the charity’s offices in Weston Road, Southend, featuring poems, artworks and other information produced by service users and volunteers.

Ends

Notes to editors

• Over 800 people were newly diagnosed with HIV in the South East in 2003 (1)
• There are over 3,300 people living with HIV in the South East (1)
• Spokespeople from THT East are available for interview. Please contact the THT press office on 020 7816 8622
• 6,600 people were diagnosed with HIV in the UK in 2003, 20% more than in 2002

Terrence Higgins Trust is the leading HIV charity in the UK, with offices in London, Leeds, Wolverhampton, Birmingham, Coventry, Oxford, Bristol, Cardiff, Swindon, Swansea, Brighton, Eastbourne, Colchester, Southend and Staines

(1) All figures courtesy of the Health Protection Agency. For more information see www.hpa.org.uk