PRESS RELEASE
SALERNO ON THE FOREFRONT LINES ON HIV: TESTING, INFORMATION, AND PREVENTION FOR WORLD AIDS DAY. ARCIGAY SALERNO SOUNDS THE ALARM: "IT'S STILL TOO LATE TO DISCOVER."“
On the occasion of World AIDS Day, Arcigay Salerno "Marcella di Folco" is promoting a series of initiatives dedicated to raising awareness about HIV, the importance of testing, and prevention as a shared responsibility.
“"In 2024, 198 new HIV diagnoses were recorded in Campania alone, out of a total of 2,379 cases in Italy. The region ranks fourth nationally in incidence, preceded by Lombardy, Lazio, and Emilia-Romagna, with an average age of 37 among new cases. This data confirms that younger people still underestimate the risk," he states. Emanuele Avagliano, President of Arcigay Salerno Today, thanks to treatment, living with HIV means living a long and fulfilling life. What really makes the difference is the diagnosis, but this is hampered by the stigma and misinformation that keep many people from getting tested. It's crucial to overcome prejudice and fear: no one should feel judged for choosing to protect their health.”
Along the same lines, the Professor Edoardo Palescandolo, health representative for Arcigay Salerno, emphasizes: "The test is anonymous, free, and quick. We invite everyone to learn about it, to talk about it without taboos, and to leave no room for shame. Health is a right, information is a tool for freedom. Only by building a culture free from stigma can we truly protect ourselves and our community.".
Source of epidemiological data: Ministry of Health – Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS), “New HIV diagnoses and AIDS cases in Italy in 2024, data from the Istituto Superiore di Sanità”
https://www.salute.gov.it/new/it/news-e-media/notizie/le-nuove-diagnosi-di-hiv-e-i-casi-di-aids-italia-nel-2024-i-dati-dellistituto
Events in the area:
Sunday, November 30, 2025 – Salerno, Piazza Vittorio Veneto (10:00–14:00)
Arcigay Salerno will be present with an information point dedicated to prevention, where condoms and informational materials will be distributed. Volunteers, operators, and qualified staff from the association and the Giusy Center/ASL SALERNO, will offer professional support regarding HIV testing, available services and sexual health. The initiative has the moral patronage Municipality of Salerno and of the’Department of Equal Opportunities, led by the deputy mayor Dr. Paky Memoli, always close to these instances.
December 1, 2025 – World AIDS Day at 10 a.m.
Arcigay Salerno will participate with a speech by Arcigay Health Delegate Edoardo Palescandolo, at the scientific conference “Where Are We Now?”, in the Aula Scozia of the AOU "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona", contributing to the debate among professionals, specialists, and organizations active in the field of HIV prevention and monitoring. The LILA and ANLAIDS associations will also be present at the conference.
December 5, 2025 – Aperitivo iVenerdìFriendly by #diverCity Salerno
Starting at 9:00 PM, Arcigay Salerno will be present with an information point at Piazza Aperichic Bar in Pastena (Salerno). Contraceptives and prevention materials will be distributed throughout the evening. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the association to support its activities in the area.
Arcigay Salerno calls on local media, radio, and TV to ensure the widest possible coverage of these initiatives: talking about HIV means saving lives, countering fear, stigma, and misinformation with scientific knowledge and access to services.
Press Office
328 615 8354
Salerno, November 27, 2025
