Member of:
Sponsors:
Messages of support for Save Healthy CommunitiesEditor Catherine Noble in the editorial
Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations executive director Rob Lake (in the Brisbane Times, May 21)
Resolution Passed at National HIV Educators' Conference
Resolution on the breakdown of the Queensland HIV Partnership Response The Conference notes with alarm the Queensland Government’s announcement on 20 May 2012 to remove funding from Healthy Communities for its HIV prevention work with gay men and its other health promotion programs. The decision was made without consultation and will seriously disrupt the provision of services to prevent HIV transmission in one of Australia’s most populous states. The Queensland HIV epidemic has unique characteristics, but, as is the case all around the country, the majority of the epidemic is directly affecting gay men. To stop working programs, to sack employed staff and destroy community networks will set back HIV prevention efforts both in Queensland and across Australia. The conference supports the call by Healthy Communities for Minister Springborg to work with them and other members of the HIV partnership in Queensland to review the approach, and consider the impact of changes in the patterns of sexual transmission of HIV in Queensland and make decisions about funding on the basis of the review, rather than pre-emptively defunding Healthy Communities. It is internationally recognised that HIV prevention has always worked best in a partnership approach between affected communities, government, clinicians and researchers. The Conference calls on the Queensland Government to return to working in partnership with all sections of the HIV response, and to recognise that those affected by HIV are best placed to determine their health promotion needs. The conference affirms its support of the HIV prevention work of Healthy Communities and their success over more than 20 years in limiting the transmission of HIV among gay men in Queensland and providing effective HIV education, and contributing to the Australian HV response.
Public Health Association Australia (Media Release, 24 May)
QLD Government cuts funding to key HIV organisation The Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA) has written to the QLD Government to express its concern over the decision to de-fund a key HIV prevention organisation. The Queensland Association of Healthy Communities (Healthy Communities) plays a central role in efforts to prevent the spread of HIV among at-risk populations. “PHAA is concerned about funding cuts to the Healthy Communities organisation, given the importance of a carefully targeted approach to prevent the spread of HIV. Successful population health approaches take into account the broader community but also specifically target groups that are in the highest risk categories. Healthy Communities focuses on one of the most vulnerable groups – lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) populations,” said Michael Moore, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the PHAA. PHAA’s Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) Policy states: Transmission of HIV can be avoided through changes in individual behaviour in the context of being in a supportive environment. Comprehensive health promotion programs and genuine participation of affected communities are integral to an effective and sustainable strategy. “Funding provided to Healthy Communities supports an awareness training project and also a drug and alcohol project which we understand are both under threat. 9% of gay men in Queensland are HIV positive compared to about 0 .1% in the general community. This requires a specific effort to direct prevention to where most infections can be found, rather than taking a broad brush approach for general community,” explained Mr Moore. “The PHAA is keen to promote an appropriate preventive approach to target vulnerable groups. We are keen to be involved with the Government’s announced Ministerial Advisory Committee on HIV and are happy to play a role in the review of HIV prevention strategies in QLD. There is no need to reinvent the wheel. The current approach to tackling HIV in Australia – as set out as the primary goal of the Sixth National HIV Strategy 2010-2013 - is to ‘reduce the transmission of, and morbidity and mortality caused by, HIV and to minimise the personal and social impact of HIV’. The strategy sets out priority areas for action. The very first of these is to ‘target HIV prevention targeting priority communities and populations’,” said Mr Moore. PHAA has requested that the QLD Government: 1. Review the QLD HIV strategies in the light of the Sixth National HIV Strategy 2010-2013; 2. Consider involvement of the PHAA and the broader HIV sector in the establishment of the new Ministerial Advisory Committee and Prevention Review; 3. Maintain funding of Healthy Communities until such time as a further decision has been made as to any better alternatives; and 4. If no better alternatives are found – expand the remit of Healthy Communities to ensure they have a broader role.
Open Doors Youth Service (Letter to Minister Springborg) Open Doors Youth Service Inc. commenced direct service with young people in January 2002 as part of the Reconnect Program – an early intervention program for young people who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, and their families. Open Doors Youth Service provides support to young people 12-24 who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and/or Transgender (LGBT), including those who have a diverse gender and/or sexuality and those who are exploring their sexuality and/or gender identity. Open Doors supports young people who are questioning their sexuality and or gender identity, a majority of LGBT youth who access our service do not have a clear understanding of same sex sexual health practices as this is not explained to them by their parents/guardians or in the education system for a number of different reasons, * Homophobia * Religious or cultural reasons * Lack of same sex sexual health knowledge * Lack of professional development opportunities for education staff * Parents/family and peers are not accepting of sexuality or gender diversity/identity of the young person Therefore, the lack of education around same sex sexual health practices is often left up to Open Doors to educate LGBT young people (12-25years). As we are not a specialist LGBT Sexual Health/HIV organisation, in our work we rely greatly on our professional partnership with Healthy Communities, particularly the 2 Spirits (Indigenous) program to support our staff and young people when it comes to early intervention and education around sexual health and safe sex practices. Open Doors has worked in partnership with Healthy Communities and the 2 Spirits program for the past 4 years to educate young people in the prevention of HIV/Aids and sexually transmitted infections. Open Doors Youth Service has been significantly impacted with the recent announcement from Health Minister Lawrence Springboard that all Queensland Health funding will cease in 3 months for Healthy Communities. Where does this then leave LGBT young people to access appropriate HIV/Sexual health information and early intervention support? We ask the government to consider the impact this will have on the LGBT community as a whole. Open Doors Youth Service asks the government to consider the impact of their decision to cease funding for Healthy Communities who in partnership with Open Doors Youth Service provide essential STI/HIV support and education to “at risk” LGBT young people and their families.
AIDS-Hilfe (AIDS Council of the District of Unna, Germany) (Letter to Health Commities)
Victorian AIDS Council/Gay Men's Health Centre Brisbane Lesbian & Gay Pride Choir (letter to Healthy Communities)
I am writing on behalf of the Brisbane Lesbian and Gay All of our Choir members have been shocked and saddened Our Choir has enjoyed considerable support and
Gary Woodhouse, Brisbane (via Facebook, May 21) Psychologist Paul Martin
Phil Browne, Brisbane Registered Nurse (letter to Premier Campbell Newman, May 21) |