HEALTH MINISTER TAKES AIDS MESSAGE TO HEART WEARING A RED RIBBON

Health Minister Stephen Robertson and his parliamentary colleagues will don red ribbons this week in Parliament in support of today’s World Aids Day.

Mr Robertson said more vigilance was needed to tackle the spread of HIV/AIDS, with the rate of HIV infection in Queensland continuing to increase.

“Notification rates for HIV are on the rise in Queensland, despite concerted efforts over the past two decades to educate people about the importance of safe sex practices,” he said.

“HIV is a precursor to AIDS and while it can’t be cured, it can be prevented.

“World Aids Day is an opportunity to reflect on what we can do, as individuals and as a community, to support people living with HIV/AIDS.

“It also serves as a reminder to practice safe sex. We can’t afford to become complacent about HIV, which is why we have to increase awareness about known HIV risk factors.”

Mr Robertson said the number of Queenslanders notified of a first HIV diagnosis increased from 142 in 2006 to 166 in 2007 – a rise of 17 per cent.

“Over the longer term, HIV notifications rose by 71 per cent in Queensland between 2001 and 2007,” he said.

“Rising HIV notifications are part of an overall trend of an increased number of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the Queensland community.

“World Aids Day and last week’s AIDS Awareness Week are about encouraging discussion about HIV/AIDS in the wider community and promoting a better understanding of HIV.

“Unless we create more awareness and educate people better about these diseases, infection rates will only continue to rise.”

Mr Robertson said the Bligh Government was tackling the rise in HIV/AIDS in Queensland via the HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C and Sexual Health Ministerial Advisory Committee.

“This is about the government and the community working in partnership to tackle HIV/AIDS,” he said.

“The committee comprises a panel of 21 members to provide advice on delivering the Queensland HIV, Hepatitis C and Sexually Transmissible Infections Strategy 2005-2011.

“In recognition of the increasing HIV rate, we’re injecting an additional $8 million over four years on HIV and other STI prevention initiatives, and to enhance sexual health services.

“This is in addition to the Safe Sex No Regrets media campaign highlighting the risks associated with unsafe sex.

“These are all signs of our commitment to tackling preventable disease and delivering on our Toward Q2 vision of making Queenslanders Australia’s healthiest people.”

Queensland HIV and AIDS Statistics

In 2007, 166 Queenslanders were diagnosed with HIV infection. This represents a 17% increase on the 2006 figure.

15 people were diagnosed with AIDS in Queensland in 2007.

In 2007, an estimated 1,694 Queenslanders were living with HIV/AIDS and accessing care in Queensland.

As throughout Australia, transmission of HIV in Queensland is predominately through sexual contact between homosexually active men.

For females diagnosed with HIV infection in Queensland in 2007, the main risk factor was either being born in a high HIV prevalence country or having had a male sexual partner originating from a high HIV prevalence country.

89% of newly diagnosed HIV infections in 2007 in Queensland were male. The average age of diagnosis in males was 39 years old with 76% of infections occurring in men 20-49 years of age.

In Queensland in 2007, there were 12 deaths in people with AIDS, although these deaths were not necessarily all AIDS-related. The trend to increased survival after HIV/AIDS diagnosis, associated with highly-active antiretroviral treatment, continues.

Between 1984 and 2007 there were 1,089 Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) diagnoses in QLD.

In QLD there were 2,686 HIV diagnoses between 1984 and 2007.

MEDIA: Martin Philip 3225 2680