{"id":14203,"date":"2025-06-27T14:56:54","date_gmt":"2025-06-27T04:56:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/prod.mhahs.org.au\/?post_type=news&p=14203"},"modified":"2025-10-09T19:38:38","modified_gmt":"2025-10-09T09:38:38","slug":"reducing-late-hiv-diagnoses-and-supporting-linkage-to-care","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/mhahs.org.au\/pt-pt\/news\/reducing-late-hiv-diagnoses-and-supporting-linkage-to-care\/","title":{"rendered":"Reducing late HIV diagnoses and supporting linkage to care"},"content":{"rendered":"

To mark HIV Testing Week, Dr Rachael Thomas, Staff Specialist, South Western Sydney LHD, joined Clare Berrie, Senior Social Worker and Coordinator of the Multicultural HIV and Hepatitis Service (MHAHS) Clinical Concierge Program, in a new interview highlighting the importance of culturally safe HIV testing and care.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Late HIV diagnosis is still a real concern in NSW, particularly in Greater Western Sydney whe<\/span>re we are seeing a third of new cases.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr. Thomas emphasises: \u201cHIV is a manageable condition with safe and effective anti-retroviral medication. The earlier you are tested for the condition, the sooner you know your HIV status, which improves\u00a0your long-term health outcomes by starting medication as soon as possible if you test positive.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

H<\/span>owever, stigma and access are still the key barriers to testing and care, particularly for people born overseas. Many worry that testing or treatment might be expensive or not available to them. However, HIV testing is free for everyone, no matter your Medicare of visa status. There are lots of testing options, you can:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n