On the occasion of World AIDS Day (December 1), AIDS Help Vienna urged the future government to take stronger action to improve sexual health in Austria, highlighting four main demands. While the number of new HIV diagnoses has stagnated, discrimination against those affected continues due to ignorance, and other sexually transmitted infections are on the rise. Mirijam Hall, chairwoman of AIDS Help Vienna, emphasized that Austria lacks sufficient prevention and education efforts.
The rates of infections like chlamydia and gonorrhea are increasing across Europe and Austria, while HIV diagnoses have plateaued at a relatively high level. According to the latest cohort study, around 8,400 people are living with HIV in Austria. Even though timely diagnosis and treatment can now prevent AIDS and reduce the virus to undetectable levels, many HIV-positive individuals still face stigma and are unfairly regarded as dangerous. AIDS Help Vienna called for measures to combat discrimination, expand testing and counseling services, improve data collection, and strengthen education initiatives.
Ignorance about HIV and AIDS persists, even among healthcare professionals. Hall revealed that 70% of last year’s reported discrimination cases occurred within the healthcare system. Practices such as requiring double nitrile gloves or over-disinfecting offices after visits from HIV-positive patients are both unnecessary and discriminatory. Hall noted that HIV education has been deprioritized in medical training in recent years, exacerbating the issue. To address this, the organization is actively engaging healthcare workers and offering online educational resources.
AIDS Help Vienna also stressed the importance of better sexual education in schools and access to free contraceptives. A pilot project in Vorarlberg launched this fall offers free contraceptives, but studies show that around 40% of Austrians aged 14–20 do not use any form of contraception, partly due to insufficient sexual education. The quality of such education varies significantly depending on the school, highlighting the need for clear standards and better teacher training.
To address these issues, AIDS Help Vienna plans to establish a “Center for Sexual Health” at its current location in Vienna’s Mariahilf district within the next two years. The center will provide comprehensive services, including testing, counseling, prevention, and treatment for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. The aim is to close existing gaps and create a space where individuals can access the resources and knowledge necessary to manage their sexual health independently.
