Why Stop Now? - Join the conversation this World AIDS Day

8 million people in low and middle income countries are now accessing HIV treatment, compared to just 400,000 in 2003. A drop in investment would reverse this progress.
Why Stop Now?
When someone takes HIV treatment, the risk of transmission can be reduced by 96%. Treatment vastly improves the health of people living with HIV, as well as preventing new infections.
Why Stop Now?
In October 2011, HIV treatment was made free for everyone in England at the point of need – replacing the previous charging system for people with irregular immigration status.
Why Stop Now?
With the right investment, 7.4 million AIDS-related deaths, and 12.2 million new infections, could be averted by 2020.
Why Stop Now?
By end of this year there will be 100,000 people living with HIV in the UK.
Why Stop Now?
Using clean needles is a scientifically proven way to reduce the spread of HIV amongst people who use drugs. Yet legal and social barriers still remain that restrict or even criminalise people accessing these.
Why Stop Now?
We know how to prevent babies being born with HIV, but 330,000 children were still born with HIV in 2011.
Why Stop Now?
78% of countries have laws and policies to protect women from discrimination. Yet one in three women will still face violence or sexual abuse in her lifetime that will double her chances of acquiring HIV.
Why Stop Now?
Even though the United Nations specifically recognises the human rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities, 78 countries still criminalise homosexuality worldwide.
Why Stop Now?
In 2011 2.5 million people newly acquired HIV, a reduction of 20% since 2001.
Why Stop Now?
This year the UK announced free treatment for all in the UK. Yet there has been no UK-wide strategy for HIV since 2010.
Why Stop Now?
Tuberculosis is the leading cause of death amongst people living with HIV. Yet only 7% of the 34 million people living with HIV globally were screened in 2010.
Why Stop Now?
Home based care and palliative care are fundamental parts of the HIV response, yet only 44% of governments report acceptable levels of access to home based care services in their countries.
Why Stop Now?

This World AIDS Day on 1st December 2012 marks a critical moment in the global HIV response

Huge progress has been made since HIV was first identified over 30 years ago. A tipping point in the epidemic is now within our reach. All it takes is governments like the UK investing enough funds, in the right interventions for the right people. If we scale up the response now, and see that tipping point passed, we can save billions in future investments and countless lives.

We want a generation where no one dies of AIDS, where no one newly acquires HIV, and where the rights of all people living with or affected by HIV are upheld. The world cannot abandon progress made to date. We need the UK government to announce they will develop a blueprint, mapping how they will lead the HIV response both in the UK and globally, on 1st December.

Help us by sending a letter to David Cameron today.

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Dear Prime Minister, Cc Secretary of State Justine Greening Cc Secretary of State Jeremy Hunt This World AIDS Day, please announce a blueprint mapping how the UK will lead the response to HIV and AIDS. Both in the UK and globally, we have seen huge progress since HIV was first identified over 30 years ago. A tipping point in the epidemic is now within our reach. And yet there is still so much more to do. Now is the time for Governments, including the UK, to ensure that we are investing enough funds, in the right interventions for the right people. Why stop now? We call upon the Government to produce a blueprint to: - Commit to maintain the UK’s investment in HIV and AIDS - Commit to put all people living with and affected by HIV at the centre of the response, regardless of where they live - Commit to lead the way in the UK and globally A UK blueprint is needed in the UK too. Please announce a nationwide HIV strategy will be developed alongside a global blueprint, this World AIDS Day. We want a generation where no one dies of AIDS, where no one newly acquires HIV, and where the rights of all people living with or affected by HIV are upheld. If we scale up the response now, and see the tipping point passed, we can save billions in future investments and countless lives. Clear progress has been made. Why Stop Now? Yours Sincerely,
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