ACTION COUNTS

Welcome to the home of the Victorian African Health Action Network (VAHAN). We are a not-for-profit community-based organisation working to strengthen Victoria’s African community response to the challenges of HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections, which are important for all Australians. We believe that African Australians have much to contribute to the Australian and Victorian response to these challenges and that meaningful community engagement leads to good policy.

We seek to improve community awareness about HIV, viral hepatitis and STIs, promoting discussion about health and social issues that put people at risk of exposure, delay diagnosis and prevent those living with these conditions from getting access to effective treatments and appropriate support.

We challenge the stigma and discrimination that prevent people from learning how to protect themselves and seek help. We work with other organisations and health professionals to build their capacity to provide appropriate services for African Australians affected by HIV, viral hepatitis and STIs. We work to facilitate meaningful engagement of our communities in the development and implementation of Victorian and national response to these conditions, offering critical commentary on policy, media and research and highlighting the implications for Victoria’s African communities.