Hepatitis B Support Network: Get Free Online Help at HepBCommunity.org

HepBCommunity.org is a specialised online platform where people with Hepatitis B can find free support and information. The platform was created by Associate Professor Thomas Tu from Westmead Institute for Medical Research and Professor Jacob George, Head of Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology at Westmead Hospital and Sydney West Local Health District.

At HepBCommunity.org, you can access useful resources and get support related to your hepatitis B diagnosis wherever you are. What's great is that there are experienced doctors and researchers on the forum who can help you with your lab results, dietary advice, lifestyle changes, and much more. You can ask any questions you have and receive personalized responses from these professionals and fellow members who are going through similar experiences. 

Contact HepBCommunity.org today to connect with a supportive network that understands your journey with hepatitis B. It's a place where you can get the help you need, for free, from experts and people who care.

Diverse Communities Urged to Get Tested for HIV During Testing Week

The Multicultural HIV and Hepatitis Service (MHAHS) is urging diverse communities to get tested for HIV during HIV Testing Week. About 9% of people with HIV in Australia are unaware of their status, making testing crucial for eliminating HIV transmission by 2030.

Barbara Luisi, Director of MHAHS, highlights the accessibility of HIV testing options. These options include Rapid HIV Testing, Home-based Testing, and Dried Blood Spot Testing. For more information, visit https://mhahs.org.au/index.php/en/hiv/testing-options.

MHAHS is also promoting their award-winning e-booklet, "HIV: What You Need to Know," which provides essential information about HIV, testing, treatment, and living with HIV. It can be downloaded at https://mhahs.org.au/index.php/en/hiv/hiv-what-you-need-to-know.

For those preferring private testing, Dried Blood Spot (DBS) testing is available for online ordering at https://mhahs.org.au/index.php/en/hiv/testing-for-hiv-at-home. DBS testing is user-friendly and provides accurate results within days.

MHAHS is conducting a multimedia campaign in 10 communities, featuring a toolkit with HIV booklets, videos, radio announcements, and social media tiles. This toolkit aims to support organizations and individuals in promoting HIV testing and awareness in their communities. For more information, visit https://www.mhahs.org.au/index.php/en/dbs-kit.

For further inquiries, contact Sonam Paljor at 0436 649 000 or email Энэ и-мэйл хаягийг спамботоос хамгаалсан. Та үзэхийн тулд JavaScript идэвхжүүлэх хэрэгтэй..

Australia Commits $19.7 Million to End HIV Transmission and Health Disparities for LGBTIQA+ Community


The Australian Government has announced its commitment to eliminating HIV transmission in Australia and addressing health disparities experienced by the LGBTIQA+ community. In the 2023-24 Budget, an additional $19.7 million will be invested to improve access to HIV testing, treatment, and information, including support for the HIV workforce and addressing other Blood Borne Virus (BBV) and Sexually Transmissible Infections (STI).

The investment includes expanding access to HIV treatment for people who are ineligible for Medicare, providing funding for the HIV Online Learning Australia program to provide up-to-date education and training for the HIV workforce, and additional support for BBV and STI peaks, including the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO) and National Association of People with HIV in Australia (NAPWHA) to drive the national response.

This commitment is part of the implementation of the Eighth National HIV Strategy (2018-2022), which aims to end HIV transmission by 2030. The government's announcement of the HIV Taskforce in December 2022 will develop the Ninth National HIV Strategy, bringing Australia closer to achieving this goal.

The government is also developing a 10 Year National Action Plan for the Health and Wellbeing of LGBTIQA+ people, which will establish an LGBTIQA+ Health Advisory Group to address the barriers faced by the community in accessing healthcare.

Leaving no one behind:                        

Leaving no community behind is critical to ending HIV in Australia and the world. The government's commitment to expanding access to HIV treatment for people who are ineligible for Medicare highlights the importance of this principle. By ensuring that everyone has access to HIV testing, treatment, and information, we can work towards ending HIV transmission and creating a more equitable society for all.

Connect, Participate, Celebrate: NSW Youth Week 2023


From April 20 to 30, NSW Youth Week celebrated the spirit and achievements of young people across the state, with the theme of "Connect, Participate, Celebrate." This annual event was started by the NSW Government in 1989 and has grown into a national celebration of youth in every state and territory in Australia.

If you're aged between 12-24, Youth Week was an opportunity to share ideas, showcase talents, participate in live events, and have your voice heard on issues that matter to you. The NSW Government invites all local councils in the state to jointly fund Youth Week activities in their area and involve young people in all aspects of the event's planning, development, and management.

Moreover, Youth Week is an opportunity to provide health information to young people and highlight the importance of sexual health. 
Play Safe Pro has great resources to boost the confidence of people working with young people to start the tricky conversations about sexual health here. 
Services can also subscribe to free monthly orders of condoms here. 

To find out more information, visit:
•    International Students Health Hub  
•    Play Safe (for young people) 
•    Play Safe Pro (for people who work with young people)