Ahead of World AIDS Day, newsGP spoke with a sexual health expert about the progress in the fight against HIV.
World AIDS Day is held on 1 December each year to raise community awareness of HIV and AIDS, and show support for people living with HIV.
The introduction of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) earlier this year has helped put Australia on the path to becoming one of the first countries in the world to end the transmission of HIV.
In addition, as part its commitment to ending HIV transmission the Federal Government has announced funding for the first HIV self-testing kit, the Atomo Self Test – a single-use rapid finger stick test for the detection of antibodies.
Government funding towards a fifth National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Blood Borne Viruses and Sexually Transmitted Infections Strategy: 2018-2022 is also underway to support closing the gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and non-Indigenous Australians’ health outcomes.
Speaking at Parliament House this week, Labor Senator Penny Wong said Australia is leading the way in tackling HIV and AIDS.