Streaming Well and Terrence Higgins Trust Tackle Ignorance of HIV
Digital health publisher Streaming Well and leading HIV and sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust, today announce the launch of a video series designed to educate young people on the basics of HIV.
Terrence Higgins Trust has identified a lack of knowledge amongst young people in Britain about the basics of HIV transmission. Michael Brady, Medical Director at Terrence Higgins Trust, said: “Thirty years on from the start of the epidemic, public understanding of HIV has dropped to a worrying level. Given that the last national HIV awareness campaign in this country was 25 years ago, it’s unsurprising that many young people struggle with even the basic facts. However, it is important that people of all ages realise that nobody is immune from infection. We all have a responsibility to get our understanding of the virus up to a basic level, and to know how to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe.”
The annual rate of new HIV cases has almost doubled in the UK over the past decade[i] whilst people’s knowledge of the way that HIV is transmitted has declined[ii].
In response to this need, Streaming Well have produced online educational videos in association with Terrence Higgins Trust, reaching out to the younger and digitally savvy generation. The series of videos provide information on HIV prevention and transmission and mark the first collaboration between Terrence Higgins Trust and Streaming Well.
In the UK, twice as many young people watch online video as compared to their parents’ generation.[iii] Digital media plays an important role in educating young people and is one of the best ways to provide new generations with information. Francis Namouk, CEO and co-founder at Streaming Well adds “The fastest way to reach people today is online. We are hopeful these videos will strike a chord with young web users and provide them with the basic information they need to protect themselves”.
[i] “Doubling of UK HIV rate prompts routine testing call” by Michelle Roberts, 23 March 2011, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-12817564, Accessed November 28, 2012
[ii] “One in five adults do not realise HIV is transmitted through sex without a condom between a man and a woman“ 18 February 2012, http://www.nat.org.uk/News-and-Media/Press-Releases/2011/February/MORI%20survey%20-%20knowledge%20and%20attitudes%20to%20HIV.aspx Accessed November 28, 2012
[iii] “UK Engagement with Online Video Descends with Age” JUNE 8, 2012 http://www.comscoredatamine.com/2012/06/uk-engagement-with-online-video-descends-with-age/, Accessed November 28, 2012