This plan was developed by AFAO, and broadly endorsed by the Inter-Governmental Committee
on AIDS, Hepatitis C and Related Diseases (IGCAHRD) 5 April 2005

Introduction

After a decade of decreasing rates of HIV infections in all states/territories (except Victoria) the data for calendar 2002 saw significantly increased rates in NSW (15%), Queensland  (20%) and a further 6% in Victoria. Other jurisdictions subsequently reported increases. Queensland will report a further 19% rise for calendar 2004.This signals a potentially fundamental change in the direction of the epidemic in Australia. This challenge calls for the development and implementation of a vigorous, co-ordinated national response involving both short and long-term measures.

Scope and Objectives

This Action Plan is focused on those contexts in which risk of HIV transmission or acquisition is considered highest.  

Accordingly, the programs in this Action Plan will focus on gay and homosexually active men who reside or socialise within the major urban centres of Australia.  This is not intended to detract from work undertaken with other populations (including other populations of gay men) but rather is intended to focus activities and resources on those populations where incidence and prevalence are highest and where there are the most urgent imperatives for additional or new initiatives.

The aim of the Action Plan is to reduce new HIV infections among gay and other homosexually active men. 

Objectives

This Action Plan provides the framework for developing a coordinated national response to the increase in HIV notifications, in order to:

• Provide gay men with information, skills and equipment to reduce HIV acquisition/transmission during sex;
• Increase the rate of consistent safe sex among gay men;
• Reduce new STI infections and increase diagnosis and treatment of existing STIs;
• Increase the proportion of at-risk individuals who have regular HIV and STI tests; and
• Build the capacity of health services and General Practice to address HIV prevention with gay and homosexually active men.

Action Plan

This Action Plan will provide the framework for activities in the following areas:

• Develop national consensus on addressing the Rises and establish mechanisms for on-going co-ordination
• Communicating with gay men about current prevention issues
• Supporting GPs and sexual health services to address HIV prevention
• Addressing sexually transmitted infections

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