Minister: Reduce prejudices against HIV-positive people
According to Lower Saxony's Health Minister Andreas Philippi, fears and prejudices towards HIV-positive people should be reduced through education. Thanks to progress in therapy, well-treated HIV-positive people have a comparable life expectancy to HIV-negative people and pose no danger to their fellow human beings, said the SPD politician on Friday on the occasion of World AIDS Day. "But HIV-infected people still experience stigmatization and exclusion."
"Over the last 40 years, the tireless, largely voluntary efforts of the AIDS service organizations, the services offered by the public health service and the comprehensive medical care have reduced the overall number of new HIV infections," said the Minister.
Last year, there were 294 new HIV diagnoses in Lower Saxony - significantly more than the previous year (171), according to the Ministry, citing the Robert Koch Institute (RKI).
The Minister's comments highlight the need for ongoing efforts to combat societal prejudices towards people living with HIV, as they still face stigmatization and exclusion despite advancements in treatments and comparable lifespans to HIV-negative individuals. The reduction of new HIV diagnoses, though higher than the previous year, underscores the importance of addressing not only the diseases itself but also the associated social issues.
Source: www.dpa.com
