News release

Nova Scotia Recognizes World AIDS Day

Health and Wellness

NOTE: A video of the World AIDS Day ceremony and raising of the AIDS ribbon flag at Province House is available at: https://youtu.be/GuMxkUZgsjQ

A red ribbon flag is flying at Province House to mark World AIDS Day today, December 1. The theme of this year’s event, chosen by the United Nations, is Equalize.

“We have come a long way in addressing HIV/AIDS but there is still a lot of work to be done to end the inequities and stigma,” said Health and Wellness Minister Michelle Thompson. “People who are stigmatized face inequalities and discrimination that delay much-needed healthcare services for prevention, diagnosis and treatment. We cannot allow this to happen in Nova Scotia.”

The Province is also recognizing HIV/AIDS Awareness Week, which ends today, and Indigenous AIDS Awareness Week, which starts today.

These events honour people living with HIV/AIDS and those who have lost their lives to AIDS worldwide.

Quotes:

“COVID-19 has rolled back progress in reaching global HIV testing and treatment targets. New HIV diagnoses have increased so far this year in Nova Scotia. This underscores the urgency to address inequities in prevention, testing and care to stop new infections and ensure everyone with HIV infection has access to treatment and support.”

– Michelle Proctor-Simms, Director, Nova Scotia Advisory Commission on AIDS

Quick Facts:

  • there are an average of 15 to 20 new HIV cases in Nova Scotia each year; by the end of August this year, Public Health had reported more than 20 new HIV cases in Nova Scotia
  • 950 cases of HIV have been diagnosed in Nova Scotia from 1983, when reporting began, to the end of 2021 (this does not include people who were first diagnosed outside the province)
  • Nova Scotians can access HIV testing through primary care providers, including family doctors, nurse practitioners, walk-in clinics and Virtual Care NS

Additional Resources:

Information on getting tested for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections in Nova Scotia: https://www.acns.ns.ca/info-resources/testing.html

More about World AIDS Day: https://www.unaids.org/en/World_AIDS_Day

Indigenous AIDS Awareness Week: https://caan.ca/events-and-workshops/indigenous-aids-awareness-week/

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