Heterosexual HIV/AIDS Service (HHAS) is the lead agency in NSW to address issues related to HIV and heterosexuality. Heterosexual HIV/AIDS can go unrecognized and misunderstood in the community. Some people may feel fearful about the future, isolated from friends and family or discriminated against. Heterosexual HIV/AIDS Service (HHAS) aims to reduce all these negative implications of HIV infection and promote a healthy and happy way of living.
Heterosexual HIV/AIDS Service (HHAS) started in 1991 as a small volunteer led peer support service. Since that time, the service has grown in staff and scope, and has developed along with the lived HIV experience.
Under NSW Health, Heterosexual HIV/AIDS Service (HHAS) role is to enhance the physical, sexual and emotional health of our client group; increase access to medical treatments, health services and health professionals; enhance and support women affected by HIV/AIDS to gain equitable access to services and treatment information; reduce social isolation and related health effects; ensure that the needs of HIV positive heterosexuals and their partners and family members are included in HIV/AIDS education and health care initiatives; and ensure that priority issues for heterosexuals living with HIV/AIDS are on the agenda of Area Health Services and relevant non-government organisations. We achieve these goals via involvement in social research and providing health promotion, advocacy, training and client/peer support.
Heterosexual HIV/AIDS Service (HHAS) continues to support and partner with the National Centre of HIV Social Research’s StraightPoz study as it enters its third phase. Our health promotion resources are available on the website, or you can request copies to be sent to you (if you’re in NSW). Heterosexual HIV/AIDS Service (HHAS) advocates on behalf of this client group for active inclusion of heterosexual HIV+ issues in program and policy development.
Liaison with HIV, health and other services as well as the community is a major focus area of Heterosexual HIV/AIDS Service (HHAS). This liaison, training and workforce development aims to increase knowledge and understanding of HIV and related issues as well as reduce stigma and discrimination associated with HIV.
Heterosexual HIV/AIDS Service (HHAS) freecall telephone support line is a statewide, confidential telephone information and support service for HIV affected heterosexual people. Our client event/peer support calendar is regularly updated, and includes regular open house and SHED activities, an annual weekend retreat and an annual workshop. Our events are friendly and relaxed, and are a great opportunity to meet other heterosexual men and women affected by HIV in a safe, confidential and private space, along with Heterosexual HIV/AIDS Service (HHAS) staff.
We recognize that HIV affects more than the HIV+ person, so we extend our services to all of those affected by heterosexual HIV, including partners, family, close friends and carers of HIV+ heterosexual people. While we are located within Community HIV at Redfern, we are a statewide organization, servicing the whole of NSW.
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