NAPWA

Founded in 1989, The National Association of People with HIV Australia (NAPWHA) is Australia’s peak non-government organisation representing community-based groups of people living with HIV (PLHIV). NAPWHA’s membership of national networks and state-based organisations reflects the diverse make-up of the HIV-positive community and enables NAPWHA to confidently represent the positive voice in Australia.

We provide advocacy, policy, health promotion, effective representation, and outreach on a national level. Its work includes a range of health and education initiatives that promote the highest quality standard of care for HIV-positive people. We also contribute to clinical and social research into the incidence, impact and management of HIV.

NAPWHA:

• represents the needs of HIV-positive people, especially those dealing with treatment issues, clinical trials, disability and support services, welfare issues and health promotion strategies

• lobbies government on a range of HIV-specific and broader health and social policy issues

• collaborates with service providers to ensure that the current needs of positive people are met

• participates in community-based education and health promotion initiatives

• develops and contributes to policy across the health and welfare sectors

• fosters partnerships with government, the research community, HIV clinicians, the pharmaceutical industry and other consumer health and disability groups

• assists state and local HIV-positive organisations and groups to undertake advocacy, education and policy work