“One of my worst fears was that I would keep it all a secret and then die in silence.” What sharing an HIV status tells us about us

Professor Michael Evangeli
School of Life Sciences and the Environment

Sharing an HIV-positive status (HIV disclosure) can improve health and increase support from others. But telling others about living with HIV is fraught with anxiety, with fears of rejection and discrimination common. This is a rational response as countering HIV stigma has been the most difficult challenge facing the HIV field since the virus was discovered over 40 years ago.

From working with people living with HIV as a clinical psychologist in the late 1990s, to recent research developing interventions to support young people living with HIV in the UK and Uganda, Professor Evangeli’s work has focused on supporting people with HIV to make decisions about whether, how and when to share their HIV status.

Inaugural Lecture

Admission is free, but booking is essential.