While HIV diagnoses have notably declined the past five years, almost half of all cases in 2018 in Australia were among overseas born people (46%), according to the latest national report released by the Kirby Institute.
There have been major scientific developments on treatments and therapies for blood-borne viruses, like HIV. These breakthroughs include PrEP and u=u.
However, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds have been identified as priority populations within the national Blood Borne Viruses (BBV) and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) state and national strategies.
Manager of MHSS and co-manager of CEH, Alison Coelho said, “The current resource allocations mean that programs like the MHSS struggle to meet the growing needs of high prevalence populations.
“CEH calls for a national peak body for CALD BBVs and STIs to advocate for appropriate funding to meet the needs of the new epidemic. We also need a re-orientation of the BBV/STI sector state-wide and nationally to ensure HIV prevention is targeted at the communities that need it the most.”
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