Driven by our communities
HIV and AIDS have affected a wide range of communities, including lesbian, gay, bisexual and trasgender (LGBT) communities, sex workers, injecting drug users, people living with HIV, and family, friends and collegues of people affected by HIV.
Since the beginning of the HIV epidemic, our communities have banded together. The AIDS Action Council was created by our community, and continues to be directed by our community members.
Faciliating a connected and inclusive community response to HIV is one of the vital roles of the AIDS Action Council and the Community Development Unit.
Respecting and valuing our community
The communities we work with collectively have considerable skills, knowledge, networks and supporters. Our focus is on identifying and supporting these strengths, and not on what is perceived to be wrong or lacking in the community.
This is what makes our workshops, campaigns and social marketing projects different. We do not ‘preach’ to our communities and tell them what is best for them. Our goal is to link and share the resources and knowledge within the community itself.
Only our communities can decide what is best for them, and the strength and resiliance of our community is evidenced by the successful community response to HIV in Australia.
Creating a supportive environment
The health and wellbeing of
our community is complex and the product of
many factors and intersects with HIV in many
ways. Our response to HIV must not just focus
on the individual, but the broader interpersonal
and social factors which influence our health.
As well as addressing the factors which influence HIV transmission, the Community Development Unit addresses the social factors which influence the lives of people living with and affected by HIV.
Image: Dahlgren G. and Whitehead M. 1991. Policies and strategies to promote social equity in health. Stockholm, Institute for Futures Studies.
LGBT health and wellbeing
The AIDS Action Council has
always been a LGBT health
organisation. The LGBT
community continue to drive
the work of the agency through
the agency’s membership and
volunteer base, and the LGBT
community continues to be a
one of the communities most
affected by HIV and its related
health impacts.
The AAC is proud to be a founding member of the LGBT Health Alliance. Our membership gives us extra strength to push for healthy public policy in areas affecting the LGBT community, including: Aging, mental health, drug and alcohol use, social stigma and discrimination, LGBT health research and relationship recognition.
Access to sensitive and community-oriented health care is an important priority of the Unit.