30 YEARS of Living with HIV
Interviews
20 people were interviewed as part of this project. All had some link to HIV. Some were HIV positive. Some were medical professionals. Some were campaigners. Some were responsible for the government’s response.
As an oral history project, the interviews focused on each individuals' personal stories and recollections.
Some of these memories can be heard below:
HIV and Mental Wellbeing
Positive East
The Government Health Campaign
In response to the AIDS crisis, Norman Fowler, the Secretary of State for Health at the time, responded with a national public health campaign with TV advert and leaflets carrying the message
A governement 'Dont Die of Ignorance' campaign leaflet
The Public Reaction
The campaign and media attention had a profound effect on a generation. The gay community was blamed, stigmatised and the term was coined.
AZT
AZT was the first drug approved to treat HIV. The drug successfully reduced HIV related deaths but caused severe side effects.
Reducing Transmissions
When HIV first appeared there was uncertainty among the public about how it spread. As well as the public health campaign the goverrment introduced needle exchanges to reduce dirty needle transmissions.
HIV Today
Today some of the problems, like fear of testing, are ongoing, and new problems have arisen, such as the challenges of reaching some African communities.