This year’s National HIV Testing Week is fast approaching (Saturday 17 November) and it’s time to start shouting about it on social.
We’ve created a social media pack to make it easy for you to get involved and promote local activities, as well as the opportunity to order a free postal test through It Starts With Me.
Ahead of National HIV Testing Week 2018, we are taking a look back at some of the activities our partners have delivered during previous events. Last year LASS and Trade Sexual Health, who both provide services in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, raised the profile of HIV testing by inviting local MPs to their centres.
They explain their engagement with the politicians and why raising the profile of HIV testing is important to their work.
Free resources to promote HIV testing this National HIV Testing Week are now available to order.
This year’s resources include:
National HIV Testing Week starts on Saturday 17 November 2018. The purpose of the week is to promote regular testing among the most affected population groups and to reduce the rates of undiagnosed people and those diagnosed late.
In the UK, people are testing more, staying protected by using condoms and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), getting diagnosed and starting HIV treatment earlier. Thanks to this combination approach, the UK is witnessing a substantial decline in HIV diagnoses.
However, too many are still diagnosed late, especially among heterosexual men and women.
National HIV Testing Week puts a national spotlight on HIV testing
This year’s campaign slogan is ‘Give HIV the finger: a finger-prick test is all it takes’, a continuation of last year’s successful creative. While the slogan is focused on the ease of testing, the campaign is an opportunity for partners to promote three key messages:
For full details on how to take part, see the campaign briefings below.
Campaign briefing for HIV, Sexual Health and other community-based organisations [PDF]
Campaign briefing for Clinicians [PDF]
Campaign briefing for Faith Leaders and Communities [PDF]
Coming soon
From 17 October 2018, you can order information resources for National HIV Testing Week.
Our social media pack will be available shortly with images and videos for Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
It’s less than four months until National HIV Testing Week starts on Saturday 17 November 2018.
The purpose of the week is to promote regular testing among the most affected population groups and to reduce the rates of undiagnosed people and those diagnosed late.
In the UK, the combination prevention approach to HIV means we are witnessing a substantial decline in HIV diagnoses for the first time.
However, the work must not stop here. There was a small increase in late diagnoses between 2015 (39%) and 2016 (42%), which means testing is still as important as ever.
National HIV Testing Week provides amplified opportunities for individuals who would otherwise never test to do so, and prompts all individuals at risk to get tested. Last year:
Preparations for National HIV Testing Week 2018 are well underway. To keep up to date with the latest news, information and how to get involved, sign up to our newsletter.