World HIV/AIDS Day takes place on December 1st. How is the epidemic evolving in our territory and who are the actors working to reverse it? State of play.
You only need to look at the figures to see that the epidemic is not weakening. More than forty years after the discovery of HIV, action remains necessary! In Grenoble, this commitment is carried out by two associations, AIDES and Tempo, supported by the City via subsidies (€15,000 per year) and the provision of premises.
They organize hotlines (listening, guidance for screening and care, etc.), while adapting to changing populations with targeted actions.
Precarization and trivialization
Today, HIV mainly affects vulnerable people far from care, new arrivals and sex workers, explains Iris Arnulf, coordinator of Tempo. The LGBT community represents 50% of cases: this has declined significantly because they have been aware of it for a long time. On the other hand, it is skyrocketing among straight people, especially 45-50 year olds who do not feel concerned by the disease or tell themselves that there is a treatment, that we no longer die from it, and do not protect themselves. not…
.
Screening therefore remains a priority. The treatments are less burdensome, guarantee better life expectancy and drastically limit transmission, but you have to know that you are concerned in order to get treatment, summarizes Patricia Semoulibouna, AIDES Grenoble coordinator. And protecting yourself remains the best option! In particular, we are raising awareness about PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis), a preventative pill that reduces the risk of being contaminated to zero.
Reach out to each audience
To provide targeted information, the two associations travel to the field: squats, reception centers such as Point d’Eau, ADATE (Dauphinoise Association for the Reception of Foreign Workers), CADA (Reception Center for Asylum Seekers) and also raid people in prostitution.
Aimed at the general public, in conjunction with Sida Info Service, SOS Homophobia and CeGIDD (Free Information, Screening and Diagnostic Center), they will have a stand on the Christmas market on Saturday November 30, the eve of World Day in the fight against HIV/AIDS. A bike parade will leave from rue Félix Poulat at 2 p.m. for a city tour with bells and red accessories, to remind people that HIV is still circulating and that prevention must continue!
A worrying increase
In the Alpine Arc (Isère, Savoie and Haute-Savoie) in 2022:
- 3,211 people supported (+2.27% compared to 2021)
- 83 new infections detected (+ 48% compared to 2021)
In France in 2022:
- 200,000 people live with HIV (+2.5% compared to 2021)
- 5,000 new infections detected (+5.45% compared to 2021)
Worldwide in 2023:
- 39 million people live with HIV.
- 1.3 million new infections detected.
- 630,000 people died from AIDS-related illnesses
Sources: COREVIH arc alpin, Santé Publique France, UNAIDS 202
