Why HIV?

Health effects everything – it’s key for a thriving community.

HIV and AIDS is a global epidemic. Its effects are far reaching and indiscriminate.

For the past 30 years the effects of HIV and AIDS have devastated families and communities, causing over 30 million deaths worldwide. AIDS is now the leading cause of death among young women.

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Due to advancements in HIV treatment and care and new guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO), Chasing Zero is helping to keep parents alive and families together, whilst seeing children born HIV-free.

“Piece by piece scientific advances are paving the way to the end of the AIDS epidemic.” Michele Sidibé (Executive Director, UNAIDS)

HIV & AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa

Despite being a global epidemic, sub-Saharan Africa currently bears the greatest burden with 69% of the world’s population living with HIV residing there. 9 million people lack access to life-saving antiretroviral treatment in this region. We are currently working to provide one million people living in sub-Saharan Africa with access to antiretroviral treatment.

Chasing Zero – A World Worth Chasing from Chasing Zero on Vimeo.

HIV & AIDS and you

How does this affect you? In the UK there are around 100,000 people living with HIV, of which 25% do not currently know their status. First things first, how can you protect yourself?

This is what the WHO guidelines state:

HIV can be transmitted through:

  • unprotected sexual intercourse (vaginal or anal) or oral sex with an infected person
  • transfusions of contaminated blood
  • the sharing of contaminated needles, syringes or other sharp instruments
  • the transmission between a mother and her baby during pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding

Source: www.who.int

The main way to prevent HIV infection is to avoid activities that put you at risk, these predominantly include unprotected sex and sharing needles and other injecting equipment.

More detailed information about the prevention of HIV transmission can be found here.

Having HIV may not only affect people on an individual basis, but as part of a wider, global community, HIV and AIDS is a shared responsibility. We can all play our part in seeing AIDS-related deaths drop to zero.

What can you do?

Our vision is to see a world where the deaths due to AIDS related causes are reduced to ZERO. We want to save lives and see communities thrive worldwide.

There are four simple ways you can play your part:

1. SHARE

Help spread the word on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram. In your school, university, work place, or shout out from the rooftops! Check out our latest films online and share with your friends.

2. VOLUNTEER

We have a number of different opportunities for you to get involved. If you are interested in volunteering, please email info [at] chasing-zero.org

3. FUNDRAISE

We are always looking for people across the UK to help save more lives. You can do pretty much anything to fundraise – jump out of a plane, climb a mountain, host an ice cream party, or get creative and do something really quirky. Then ask friends and family to support you.

4. GIVE

It’s simple – donate now and help save more lives.

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