Prince Harry And Elton John Just Launched A New Initiative To End AIDS By 2030
Prince Harry and Sir Elton John are joining forces for a new global initiative that will combat the spread of HIV/AIDS. The longtime friends are launching the MenStar coalition, 'which will expand the diagnoses and treatment of HIV infections in men, with the aim of ultimately ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030,' Kensington Palace announced today.
The coalition will support delivering effective HIV/AIDS services for men, promote early testing, treatment, and achievement of viral suppression, the palace added on Twitter.
Preparing for #AIDS2018 Plenary Session with @EltonOfficial – where The Duke and Sir Elton will launch the MenStar coalition, which will expand the diagnoses and treatment of HIV infections in men, with the aim of ultimately ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030. pic.twitter.com/sYnROYwpdS
- Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) July 24, 2018
While speaking at the annual AIDS conference in Amsterdam, the Duke of Sussex explained that the new project was inspired by the rise of HIV infections in women and the need to educate "hard-to-reach young men" about prevention from the epidemic.
'Too many around the world are still ignoring the damaging knock-on effect on education and other community services from not prioritising HIV prevention and treatment,' he said.
MenStar will support innovative approaches in delivering effective HIV/AIDS services for men, increasing earlier uptake of testing, treatment, and achievement of viral suppression #AIDS2018
- Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) July 24, 2018
The duke has been fighting AIDS for years, following in the footsteps of his late mother, Princess Diana. In 2006, he founded the organization Sentebale, which helps children in Lesotho, Africa who have been orphaned by the epidemic.
In 2016, he famously took an HIV test in Barbados with Rihanna to raise awareness and fight stigmas about the procedure.
Prince Harry’s decision to take an #HIV test live on Facebook was a groundbreaking moment in the fight against HIV. pic.twitter.com/1A77ycB7eC
- Terrence Higgins Trust (@THTorguk) September 1, 2017
Sir Elton John has also been raising awareness on the illness for years, which Harry pointed out at the conference today.
'For over a quarter-century, Elton has worked tirelessly to fund research and services in communities around the world,' he said, per USA Today. 'And today, he has come to Amsterdam to announce his latest endeavor, a billion-dollar global partnership to break the cycle of male transmission of HIV, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.'
The legendary singer was close friends with Princess Diana and continued to stay close with Harry after her death. He even sang at the reception for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's royal wedding in May.
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