Reason Digital has partnered with the National Aids Trust to create an online tool to support people living with HIV to tackle stigmas associated with it.
Looped in will provided a range of trusted content developed for a number of different audiences, including those living with HIV, friends, sexual partners, family and medical professionals.
“NAT is known for defending the rights of people living with HIV by creating policy change but trying to fight stigma is a more complex challenge,” said Deborah Gold, Chief Executive of NAT.
“We know misinformation about HIV makes things hard for those with the virus, and even those who are most comfortable talking about HIV can find it difficult to challenge misconceptions sometimes. We also know that people living with HIV are the strongest advocates against stigma and that talking about HIV can be hugely empowering. Looped in will empower and enable conversations about HIV. Giving people a customisable, convenient and evolving way to educate others is part of how we aim to spread understanding.
“Developing this unique tool has been really exciting and I can’t wait to see how it is used in the real world and build on what it can do.”
The project has been funded by Comic Relief.
“Looped in is a uniquely empathetic and informative platform. It’s been designed to break down the social bias and myths surrounding the perceptions of people living with HIV and is designed to be inspiring for a range of audiences,” added Matt Haworth, the Co-Founder of Reason Digital.
“The UK is medically advanced when treating HIV, however, there is still a real social bias around the subject. Media headlines are often very negative and sensational, Looped in will contradict that and offer factual responses to medical and social questions.”
LeaSuwanna, a woman living with HIV added:
“Living with HIV has not been a big deal for me. You try to stay healthy and take your medication, so you can’t pass on the virus. However, when I’ve said I have HIV, I’ve been asked if I am going to die, or if I have AIDS. People’s HIV awareness hasn’t improved as much as the treatment has. For people with the virus, explaining the same facts to people all the time can be tiring, intimidating or difficult.”
The site launched this week.
