The HIV Podcast

HIV… The Wizard of Oz… The Sound of Music… Ghost.......Stick with us!This week Sarah and Jess continue their quest to show that HIV is connected to everything, even the places you’d least expect. If you’ve ever felt there are no connections to HIV in your life, this episode is an invitation to see some of the links hiding in plain sight, through films, culture, and a bit of classic HIV Podcast curiosity!SourcesRuby Slippers Wizard of Oz - History, Pairs & Ownership | MuseumKent Warner - Wikipedia10 facts you might not know about Ghost starring Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore - SmoothRick Aviles - Wikipedia

In this opening episode of our year long African Voices series, we look at Nigeria, beyond the funding cuts that so often dominate global headlines. While international reporting focuses on donor decisions and political shifts, this conversation centres what’s happening on the ground, the people, the initiatives, and the communities continuing to respond to HIV with creativity, care, and determination.Through lived experience of both a beneficiary and health care worker, we explore both the challenges being faced and the progress being made, highlighting what’s working, what’s changing, and what deserves far more attention than it usually gets.A huge thank you to Project HOPE for helping connect us, so these stories can be shared authentically, directly from the people living and working within them.Project HOPE | Advancing Global Health & Saving LivesAfrican 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 2026January 22nd - NigeriaFebruary 19th- TanzaniaMarch 19th - South AfricaApril 17th - KenyaMay 22nd - UgandaJune 19th - MozambiqueJuly 24th - MalawiAugust 21st - ZambiaSeptember 18th - ZimbabweOctober 23rd - BotswanaNovember 20th - Lesotho & EswatiniSources https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/nigeria/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigeria https://www.beintheknow.org/understanding-hiv-epidemic/data/glance-hiv-nigeria https://www.phis3project.org.ng/phis3-resources/ https://www.severemalaria.org/countries/nigeria/nigeria-health-systemhttps://nphcda.gov.ng/bhcpf/ https://naca.gov.ng/ https://data.theglobalfund.org/location/NGA/access-to-funding https://nepwhan.org/our-history/ https://www.theglobalfund.org/en/updates/2024/2024-02-05-nigeria-global-fund-launch-new-grants-reinforce-progress-against-hiv-tb-malaria/ https://naca.gov.ng/sustainability/

This week, Sarah and Jess take a look at one of the greats...and Elton John’s greatest legacy might not be musical. This episode explores the Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) and how it has shaped the HIV response for over 30 years, funding services, fighting stigma and supporting communities worldwide!Sources Elton John at Aids conference: 'I should be dead. I nearly died' | Sexual health | The GuardianElton John AIDS Foundation - WikipediaElton-John-AIDS-Foundation_Annual-Report_2024-Digital.pdf

The HIV Podcast is back for 2026! This week's episode takes a look at the amazing work Cher has done for the HIV community and then we look at the CHER clinical study, so this week really is all about Cher-ing.SourcesCher - WikipediaCher, Demi Moore entertain guests at glamorous Cannes fundraiser for AIDS | ReutersCHER | MRC Clinical Trials Unit at UCL

This week Sarah sits down with the brilliant Garry Brough, HIV advocate and Programme Manager for Fast-Track Cities London. Together they unpack what peer support actually is and why it's such a game-changer: empowering, grounding...a reminder that sometimes what we really need is a conversation with someone who gets it.From Isolation to Empowerment: The Power of Peer Support in HIV Care - Fast-Track Cities London

This week Sarah and Jess are diving into the history of STIs! We take you on a whistle-stop tour of humanity’s long, complicated, and occasionally ridiculous relationship with sexually transmitted infections. Expect myths, medicine, and a few moments that will make you grateful for antibiotics.Sources‘Groundbreaking’ HIV prevention programme aims to end transmissions by 2030 | The IndependentSTIs through the centuries – UK Health Security Agency The History of STIs - Broadgate GPSexually transmitted infection - Wikipedia

This week, Sarah and Jess celebrate World AIDS Day by talking about the need, and break down why support still matters, bust a few myths, and remind everyone that HIV isn’t “sorted” just because the meds are brilliant.Donate now Donate — TVPS

This week, Sarah and Jess go back to where it all began, uncovering the story of Nora Wattie, the woman who pioneered the foundations of modern contact tracing. They explore how her work shaped public health and also take a diversion into 'period chat'.....enjoy!SourcesNora Wattie - WikipediaFirst doses of HIV prevention drug lenacapavir delivered to Zambia, Eswatini | Reuters

This week Chantelle joins Jess to talk about cabotegravir, the long-acting injectable PrEP that’s changing how people can protect themselves from HIV! And there is also come 'C' word chat, so avoid this episode if it's too soon for festive cheer!Sourceshttps://www.england.nhs.uk/2025/10/nhs-to-roll-out-first-long-acting-injection-to-prevent-hiv/https://www.nice.org.uk/news/articles/first-hiv-prevention-injection-for-people-unable-to-have-daily-prep-recommendedhttps://www.who.int/news/item/14-07-2025-who-recommends-injectable-lenacapavir-for-hiv-preventionhttps://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/sep/24/hiv-prevention-jab-pre-exposure-prophylaxis-prep-lenacapavir-120-poorer-countries-2027https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lenacapavir