People living with HIV/AIDS will be have nationwide access to the latest medical information, treatment options and support networks care of an extensive range of new services launched by the National Association of People Living with HIV/AIDS.

Five years of consultancy and development work has culminated in NAPWA establishing Treataware, a three-pronged approach to HIV information which features a comprehensive website, treatment guide book and phone line to provide people living with HIV/AIDS the absolute latest medical news. It is hoped that these new services will empower positive people to take a more proactive role in directing their treatment options.

NAPWA spokesman Bill Whittaker said it was a major concern that although many people with HIV led long and healthy lives, there was a considerable proportion who were not informed about the latest medical developments.

"The benefits of HIV treatments are unambiguous and there is growing evidence that starting treatment sooner rather than later leads to better long term health outcomes, yet a substantial number of HIV-positive people are avoiding treatment because they may be unaware of the latest research, are concerned about treatment side effects or they don't know where to go for up-to-date information," Whittaker told the launch audience.

"Positive people need to be empowered with information so they can play their part in directing their treatment."

The website will provides up-to-date information on treatment as well as clinical trial information and the HIV phone line will be manned by professionals five days a week between 2pm and 7pm.

by ANI LAMONT

Details: 1800 817 713; www.treataware.info or http://napwa.org.au

Sydney Start Observer, www.ssonet.com.au