Australasian Society for HIV Medicine

For the past ten years, the National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and
Clinical Research has produced HIV/AIDS, viral hepatitis and sexually
transmissible infections in Australia Annual Surveillance Report which
has included information on the occurrence of sexually transmitted
infections, HIV/AIDS and viral hepatitis among Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander people in Australia.

In 2007, NCHECR initiated an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Program to increase capacity in this area. As part of this program, information on HIV/AIDS, viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population has been compiled into the first surveillance report in Australia Bloodborne Viral and Sexually
Transmitted Infections in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People:
Surveillance Report 2007. The report aims to increase Aboriginal people
and communities' understanding of the epidemiology of these infections.
The Report also aims to stimulate and support discussion on ways forward
in addressing the unacceptably high rates of bacterial sexually transmitted infections within some Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and in minimising the risk of HIV transmission and the personal and social consequences of HIV infection.

This Report has been developed as a reference document for organisations
and individuals with an interest in the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The Report will be available in hard copy from the NCHECR soon and at Internet address:

http://www.nchecr.unsw.edu.au/nchecr
"Whats New" on the NCHECR home page.