When you think about HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) and AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome), do you believe it only impacts places overseas, like Africa, or more metropolitan areas, such as London, Toronto, or Vancouver? If you do, you're not alone.

The reality is, HIV affects many communities, both urban and rural. HIV does live in Elgin County. In fact, the prevalence in Southwestern Ontario is approximately 1,600 people, or 0.1% of the population. Statistics from 2008 show that approximately 40 people are living with HIV in Elgin County.

Because many rural communities have not experienced the same number of people living with HIV/AIDS as have larger centres, little consideration has been given to establishing local resources like social support for individuals and families affected by HIV/AIDS, or organized education programs specific to HIV/AIDS. HIV is becoming more prevalent in rural communities but information about the virus is often outdated or unavailable. As a result of this overall lack of knowledge about HIV, the stigma and discrimination associated with it continues to grow.

The term AIDS-related stigma refers to the prejudice and discrimination directed at people living with HIV/AIDS (PHA) because of the communities with which people assume they may be associated. As a result, PHAs may experience rejection from the larger community, be shunned, discriminated against in the work place, or even be physically assaulted.

PHAs also struggle in smaller communities with a lack of privacy. Often people in smaller, rural towns have personal connections to those who may be providing them with health care services, social services or even services in pharmacies. This has implications for an individual's confidentiality and anonymity. Seeking information about a highly-stigmatized medical condition such as HIV and remaining anonymous becomes difficult in a smaller community.

Regional HIV/AIDS Connection (formerly known as the AIDS Committee of London) began expanding regionally in 2008 to help to address these issues. The agency serves six counties in Southwestern Ontario - Elgin, Oxford, Perth, Huron, Lambton and Middlesex. RHAC is working to bring greater understanding in rural and smaller communities of the many issues surrounding HIV/AIDS. Knowledge is the key to helping PHAs live healthier lives. By educating health care professionals, secondary service providers, youth, and the general population about HIV, we can begin to address the lack of services available to people living with HIV. The lack includes services such as limited access to local health care professionals with up-to-date HIV information, transportation to and from medical appointments, and practical, financial, social and emotional support from service providers and peers.

It is the mandate of RHAC that everyone, regardless of geographic location and financial ability, have access to HIV/AIDS care and support. Social, financial, practical and emotional supports are available to people living in Elgin County who are living with, affected by, or at-risk for HIV/AIDS. Education and prevention services, and fundraising and volunteer opportunities are also available to the community at-large and social service and health providers.

If you have questions about HIV/AIDS, Regional HIV/AIDS Connection or would like more information about the work RHAC does, please visit our website, www.hivaidsconnection.ca or call 1-866-920-1601.