The HIV Podcast

This week Sarah and Jess begin a three-part journey through Russia's HIV story. We travel back to the community where the country's first major HIV outbreak unfolded, exploring the events that changed countless lives and the lasting impact still felt today.TW: This episode contains discussion of suicide and HIV-related stigma, which some listeners may find distressingSupport The HIV PodcastSources HIV/AIDS in Russia - WikipediaCountry Profile – Positive DestinationsThree decades after ‘Western HIV plague’ hit USSR, this tiny community is still coming to terms with the devastation and lost children | The Independent | The IndependentA11 The 1988 Elista outbreak and the epidemiology of HIV subtype G in Russia - PMCUNAIDS is deeply saddened by the death of Vadim Valentinovich Pokrovsky | UNAIDS

This week Sarah and Jess head to Mozambique for the latest episode of African Voices, exploring the country's response to HIV stigma and the inspiring work of local LGBTQ+ activists using creativity and visibility to encourage HIV testing and challenge discrimination.As always with African Voices, this episode looks beyond the headlines to celebrate resilience and the people creating real change in their communities.Sources LAMBDA AssociationLambda (Mozambican organization) - WikipediaAIDSfree: Mozambique’s drag queen battling stigma to encourage HIV testing | The Independent | The IndependentAfrican Voices is a year-long series from The HIV Podcast, sharing perspectives from across the African continent.How to get involved:We’re inviting people living with or affected by HIV to share short voice notes about what’s happening in their country, what the world needs to understand, and what education they want to share. These voice notes may be played on the podcast as part of the series.Episodes will be released monthly, on the last Friday of each monthVoice notes may be played on the podcastSend a voice note (max 5 minutes, no minimum) to: 07727 666791Each country has a submission deadline, see image for detailsIf you’re from one of the 12 countries featured, we’d love to hear from you.How to take partPlease send us a voice note (maximum 5 minutes, no minimum) to:07727 666791In your recording, please include:• Your name (or a preferred name if you would like to remain anonymous)• Your connection to HIV (for example: person living with HIV, peer educator, counsellor, activist, doctor, community worker, volunteer)• The country you are inThen tell us:What do you want the world to know about HIV in your country?This could include access to care, stigma, funding cuts, community realities, or anything you feel the world should understand.What education would you like to share?A myth to bust, a message for others, or knowledge that could help support your community.For more information, please contact:office@tvps.org.ukDeadlines for submissions by country 2026July 24th - MalawiAugust 21st - ZambiaSeptember 18th - ZimbabweOctober 23rd - BotswanaNovember 20th - Lesotho & Eswatini

Needle exchanges. A public health success story? A political battleground? Or a bit of both. This week Sarah and Jess are travelling back to the 1980s to explore how a radical idea born during the HIV crisis helped save thousands of lives and shaped the UK's approach to harm reduction.Sources history of needle sharing and the development of needle and syringe programmesSyringe-exchange-has-it-worked.pdf

How did Edinburgh end up being dubbed the "HIV capital of Europe"? In this episode, Sarah and Jess head back to the 1980s to uncover the story behind one of the most surprising chapters in HIV history. We explore how one city found itself at the centre of the epidemic, and helped change the response to HIV forever.Sources 'Patients used to come here to die, now they come to live' - BBC NewsHow Edinburgh became the Aids capital of Europe - BBC NewsHistorical Context | HIV/AIDS"Take Care With Sex" [pink and black], 1990s | ArchivesSpace Public InterfaceScottish AIDS Monitor - WikipediaSouth Africa commits $72 million in bid to shed its status as the country with the world's largest HIV epidemic | Business Insider Africa

This week, the tables have turned! Long-time listener and friend of the podcast Charlotte Leach has taken over hosting duties and put Sarah and Jess firmly in the hot seat, testing their podcast knowledge, revisiting some memorable moments, and chatting all things HIV.A huge thank you to Charlotte for all the thought, planning and preparation that went into the 'Charlotte Leach Takeover'.SourcesHIV Long-Term Survivors Awareness Day June 5

This week Sarah and Jess head to Uganda for the latest episode of African Voices! We hear about the realities of HIV in Uganda, the progress being made, and the challenges that still remain, while spotlighting the incredible work of the Uganda Village Project, a grassroots organisation helping improve access to healthcare, HIV education, testing and support within rural communities.As always with African Voices, this episode looks beyond the headlines to focus on people, resilience, and the organisations creating real change on the ground.Sources Uganda Village Project - Uganda Village Project Facilitating Public Health in UgandaUganda - Wikipediahttps://globalfund.finance.go.ug/hiv/https://www.parliament.go.ug/news/4215/aids-related-deaths-drop-64-percent-uachttps://www.unicef.org/uganda/what-we-do/hiv-aidsAfrican Voices is a year-long series from The HIV Podcast, sharing perspectives from across the African continent.How to get involved:We’re inviting people living with or affected by HIV to share short voice notes about what’s happening in their country, what the world needs to understand, and what education they want to share. These voice notes may be played on the podcast as part of the series.Episodes will be released monthly, on the last Friday of each monthVoice notes may be played on the podcastSend a voice note (max 5 minutes, no minimum) to: 07727 666791Each country has a submission deadline, see image for detailsIf you’re from one of the 12 countries featured, we’d love to hear from you.How to take partPlease send us a voice note (maximum 5 minutes, no minimum) to:07727 666791In your recording, please include:• Your name (or a preferred name if you would like to remain anonymous)• Your connection to HIV (for example: person living with HIV, peer educator, counsellor, activist, doctor, community worker, volunteer)• The country you are inThen tell us:What do you want the world to know about HIV in your country?This could include access to care, stigma, funding cuts, community realities, or anything you feel the world should understand.What education would you like to share?A myth to bust, a message for others, or knowledge that could help support your community.For more information, please contact:office@tvps.org.ukDeadlines for submissions by country 2026April 17th - KenyaMay 22nd - UgandaJune 19th - MozambiqueJuly 24th - MalawiAugust 21st - ZambiaSeptember 18th - ZimbabweOctober 23rd - BotswanaNovember 20th - Lesotho & Eswatini