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DUBLIN
AIDS
ALLIANCE
25 Years addressing
HIV/AIDS
Introduction
However there were still 2.7 million new infections worldwide in
2010, including an estimated 390,000 children.While the availability of
antiretroviral drugs has been scaled up in low and middle income
countries, where 6.6 million people are now receiving treatment, this
still only represents about half of those who need it. At the same time
as new and more effective drugs become available in the developed
world, ensuring equitable access to treatment across the developing
world remains a continuing and ongoing challenge.
Here in Ireland the rate of new infections has been falling since 2008,
with 320 people newly diagnosed with HIV in 2011, a 3% decrease on
2010. The decreasing rate is welcome news, but any new cases of
such a preventable illness are unnecessary and we must continue our
efforts to reach a position of zero new infections. A major concern is
that 2011 data show a significant level of late diagnosis amongst the
new HIV infections. Late HIV diagnosis, where a person is unaware of
their HIV status for many years, carries an increased risk of illness and
death and also poses greater risks of transmission to others. There is
an urgent need to promote and make accessible HIV and STI testing
services to reduce levels of late diagnosis and also to reach the
estimated 30% of HIV positive people in Ireland who are currently
unaware of their status. Lack of sexual health awareness and the
stigma that attaches to HIV remain as major barriers to successfully
To discriminate
against people
on the basis of
their HIV status
is an affront to
human rights and
compromises our
efforts to halt the
spread of HIV.
Irish Government
2008
increasing the uptake of testing. HIV related Stigma continues
to present a serious and persistent challenge. The 2008 Stamp
Out Stigma Report found that people living with HIV in Ireland
experienced significant levels of stigma and discrimination
across a wide range of areas: in families, among friends, in the
workplace and in accessing health and social care services.
Leadership at political level is essential in combating the stigma
and discrimination that still attaches to HIV and AIDS and it is
also essential that we support people living with HIV to
become leaders and have their own voice. The emergence of
the organisation Positive Now is an important step in this
direction.
The commitment by government to put in place a National
Sexual Health Strategy in 2012 is a very positive development
and it will provide us with the framework to increase our
efforts to tackle HIV in the coming years. This involves
strengthening the partnership between statutory services,
NGOs and PLWHIV to increase awareness of sexual health
and HIV, to promote testing as part of our primary health care
services and to challenge and combat HIV-related stigma that
should have no place in the Ireland of today. Ireland is a
signatory to the 2011 UN Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS;
Intensifying Our Efforts to Eliminate HIV/AIDS and it is
essential that, despite the current economic difficulties, we
continue to meet our commitments under that agreement and
to work towards reaching the UN goals of zero new HIV
infections, zero discrimination and zero HIV related deaths.
DAA will continue to work together with our statutory,
voluntary and civil society partners to contribute towards
meeting these goals in the coming years.
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As Dublin AIDS Alliance marks its 25th birthday much of the news in
relation to HIV and AIDS is positive. Across the world new HIV
infections continue to fall, with a 21% reduction between 1997 and
2010, and more people than ever are starting treatment. Research is
giving us solid evidence that antiretroviral therapy can prevent new
HIV infections and the US Food and Drug Administration has
recommended licensing the drug Truvada as a means of HIV
prevention amongst high-risk groups.
DUBLIN
AIDS
ALLIANCE
Our Mission
q
To improve conditions for people living with HIV and AIDS, their families and their caregivers, while actively
promoting HIV and sexual health awareness in the general population.
Our Vision
To contribute to a reduction in the prevalence of HIV in Ireland and to the eradication of HIV-related stigma.
Our Objectives
q
To support those living with and affected by HIV and AIDS
q
To confront the stigma and discrimination associated with HIV and AIDS
q
To increase public awareness through the promotion of HIV and sexual health education
q
To influence policy through partnership and active campaigning
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q
International
1981
1982
1983
1984
1984
1985
1985
1986
1987
1987
1988
First cases of AIDS detected in
California and New York
AIDS reported in several European
countries
Name is created – Acquired Immune
Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
3,000 cases reported in U.S. with
1,000 deaths
Scientists identify HIV as cause of
AIDS
World’s first needle exchange
programme is set up in Amsterdam
AIDS is reported in China and has
now been seen in every region of the
world
First International AIDS Conference
held in Atlanta, Georgia
More than 38,000 cases reported
from 85 countries
AZT is first drug approved for
treating AIDS
Inaugural Display of the Names
Project AIDS Memorial Quilt in
Washington
Health Ministers meet and establish
World AIDS Day
(Dec 1st)
1980s
National
Late 1982 First two cases of AIDS diagnosed in
Ireland
1984
6 cases of AIDS reported
1985
First case of HIV diagnosed
1984/85 HIV/AIDS is an issue in the media and
public awareness is raised
1985
Gay Health Action(GHA) founded in
January – first NGO to campaign
specifically on AIDS in Ireland
1985
GHA produce first leaflet on AIDS
with support from Dept. of Health
1986
Dept. of Health produce information
leaflet “AIDS the Facts”
1987
Mass media campaign launched by
Dept. of Health
1987
National Task Force on AIDS set up
by Catholic Social Services
Conference with representation from
community groups, clinicians and
Dept. of Health
1989
126 cases reported
1989
EHB AIDS Resource Centre set up in
Baggot St.
Report on sample of 398 drug users
in Jervis Street shows 27% are HIV
positive
1980s
Dublin AIDS Alliance
1985
1987
1988
1988
1989
AIDS Action Alliance comes together
Dublin AIDS Alliance is established, with
constituent groups:
— AIDS Helpline
— Body Positive
— Cairde
— Irish Frontliners
— Women and AIDS.
Groups gather and disseminate
information on HIV/AIDS amongst the
gay community and drug users
Federation of AIDS organisations comes
together as AIDS Liaison Forum(ALF)
Small amounts of money accessed
through National Lottery
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1980s
International
1990
1991
1991
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
Around 8 million people living with HIV
worldwide
Thailand launches Asia’s most extensive
HIV prevention programme
Red Ribbon is promoted by Visual AIDS
Artist Caucus in New York as a symbol
of solidarity with people living with HIV
Infant HIV infections begin to fall in
developing countries due to AZT
Joint UN Programme on AIDS
(UNAIDS) is established
Combined Anti Retroviral Treatment
(ART)shown to be highly effective in
treating HIV/AIDS
AIDS deaths begin to decline in
developed countries
In developing countries, only small
minority can access treatment
Around 22 million people living with HIV
worldwide
1990s
National
1991
1991
1992
1991
1992
1992
1993
1993
1994
1995
1996
1996
Irish Quilt Tour: an AIDS Memorial opens
in the Mansion House in Dublin
National AIDS Strategy Committee
(NASC) set up by Minister Mary
O’Rourke
NASC Report and Recommendations
adopted as policy by Government
Government Strategy to Prevent Drug
Misuse recognises the importance of a
harm reduction approach for HIV
prevention
Almost 60% of HIV positive tests and
40% of AIDS cases drug-related
Gay Men’s Health Service is established
by the Health Board
Homosexuality is decriminalised
The Dept. of Health and Dept. of
Education produce the AIDS Education
and Resource Materials Manual for
secondary schools
Gay Health Network is established on an
All-Ireland basis
Segregation of prisoners with HIV ceases
HIV Services Network (HSN) is
established to bring together groups
providing HIV related services
First Report of Ministerial Task Force to
reduce Demand for Drugs recognises
the link between the heroin crisis and
social and economic disadvantage
Ireland is part of the European Project
on AIDS and Mobility which aims to coordinate efforts in the EU to work with
mobile populations
1990s
Dublin AIDS Alliance
1990
1993
1993
1994
1994
1995
1995
1998
1998
1999
DAA sets up Holistic Health Project and
Outreach programme
DAA becomes independent of
constituent groups
DAA moves to current premises in
Parnell Square
Women and HIV Project is set up as a
support and education group for HIV
positive women
DAA begins its Street Outreach
Programme for drug users
Report on DAA Prevention and
Education Service shows over 2,800
training sessions on HIV have been run
by the Service
5,000 “Love Careful” condom packs
produced and distributed on Valentine’s
Day
DAA is a member of the Irish AIDS and
Mobility Network
DAA and Red Ribbon project set up
ECOSEP as a training programme for
women from marginalised communities
FASNET programme set up in DAA as a
training and work experience scheme for
clients from marginalised backgrounds
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1990s
1998
International
2001
2001
2002
2003
2004
2006
2007
2009
2010
2011
Generic Anti Retroviral drugs are produced in India,
beginning the process of bringing down prices and
increasing availability in developing countries
UNGASS Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS :
Global Crisis – Global Action aims to provide international
leadership and promote co-operation in tackling the AIDS
epidemic
Global AIDS Fund is set up
Campaigning to make ARVs more accessible in developing
countries
EU produces Dublin Declaration on Partnership to fight
HIV/AIDS in Europe and Central Asia
UNGASS Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS aims to scale
up commitments in 2001 Declaration
EU framework – Combatting HIV/AIDS within the EU and
neighbouring countries 2006-2009
Around 33 million people living with HIV/AIDS around the
world
EU framework – A strategy for Combatting HIV/AIDS in the
EU and Neighbouring Countries
Positive results from PrEP trials increasing hopes for
treatment as prevention
UNGASS Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS: Intensifying
our Efforts to eliminate HIV/AIDS reinforces the need to
meet targets set
2000s
National
2000
2003
2004
2005
2007
2007
2008
2009
2010
National AIDS Strategy is produced recommending broader
links to sexual health
Over 30% increase in recorded figures for new HIV
infections in Ireland with a total of 399 new cases
Irish government part of EU Dublin Declaration on
Partnership to fight HIV/AIDS in Europe
Number of new HIV infections is decreasing by 10%,
beginning a steady decrease in new cases amongst IDUs
Number of new HIV infections moving upwards again, with
increases amongst MSM and people from countries of high
prevalance
National Stamp out Stigma campaign launched by
government to tackle prejudice and discrimination re HIV
NASC HIV Education and Prevention Plan 2008-2012 is
produced
Review carried out of National AIDS Strategy
Committee(NASC) recommends the development of a
National Sexual Health Strategy
Positive Now is set up as a working group of people living
with HIV to give positive people a voice within existing
government and NGO agencies
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2000s
2000s
2001
2003
2004
2004
2004
2005
2005
2005
2006
2006
2007
DAA reports increase in numbers of foreign nationals using
the services
DAA involved with IFPA and Durex in running first ever
Sexual Health Awareness Week
DAA participates as the Irish civil society representative at
the EU Ministerial Conference leading to the Dublin
Declaration
DAA training programmes in HIV and Hepatitis are
developed
Positive Youth Video launched on World AIDS Day in
partnership with Concern aimed at increasing HIV
awareness amongst young people
DAA develops its first outreach programme for migrant
communities
DAA launches Do You Choose It, a sexual health
awareness campaign with posters, flyers and beer mats , in
partnership with the Red Ribbon Project, Limerick
DAA produces the User Friendly Passport Booklet for drug
users
Love your Liver information pack on Hep C developed in
partnership with UISCE and the Chrysalis Drug Project
DAA involved with IFPA, CPA and USI in running first ever
Durex National Condom Week
DAA participates in the National Stamp Out Stigma
Campaign
2007
2009
2009
2010
2011
2011
Don’t Panic Guide to Sexual Health is produced in 6
languages through Ethnic Minorities Outreach Programme
DAA calls on the Government to develop a National Sexual
Health Strategy
DAA produces the Gettin’ it On Guide to using condoms
Pilot HIV testing service is run in DAA on Irish AIDS Day
DAA launches Living with HIV: a Self-Help Guide for people
living with HIV on Irish AIDS Day
DAA involved in the development of the joint GHN/HSE
National HIV Prevention Programme for MSM and in its
launch on World AIDS Day
DUBLIN
AIDS
ALLIANCE
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Dublin Aids Alliance
THE UNITED NATIONS(UN) GOALS
l ZERO new HIV infections
l ZERO AIDS-related deaths
DUBLIN
AIDS
ALLIANCE
Dublin AIDS Alliance, 53 Parnell Square West, Dublin 1
t: 01-873 3799
f: 01-873 3174
e: [email protected]
www.unaids.org
w: www.dublinaidsalliance.ie
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l ZERO discrimination