HIV/AIDS is a life threatening chronic disease found in nearly every country. Worldwide there are an estimated 43 million people infected, half of whom live in sub-Saharan Africa, and most of whom have no access to treatment.
In western countries HIV was originally seen as an illness affecting only gay men or IV drug users. This is no longer the case. 99% of infections are amongst heterosexuals, about half being women, and with about 14 million AIDS orphans (end 2001, UNAIDS). In the US and Europe over half of new infections are amongst heterosexuals. In
Australia, about a third of newly identified infections are
in heterosexuals, and HIV+ heteros in Victoria, as well as Tasmania
and South Australia, are served by Straight Arrows, based at
the Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria’s main HIV treatment
centre. Arrows
is run by and for HIV+ heteros and their families. An independent
group, Straight Arrows is affiliated with NAPWA (the National
Association of People With AIDS – Australia), and also
holds a Board seat on PLWHA (People Living With HIV/AIDS)
Victoria. We have fought for the recognition of the issues
affecting Heterosexuals with HIV, both within the HIV+ and
wider communities.
Arrows
is principally funded by state government grant and philanthropy.
Philanthropic grants have come from sources including the
Paul Newman Foundation, the Jack Brockoff Foundation and the
Australian AIDS Fund.
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aim to be a friendly and positive organisation, so why not
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