SXSW 2024: Positive+1 is more than just a social media app

SXSW’s Creative Industry Expo had some interesting and WTF technologies this year. For us, however, one of the standouts on the field was Positive+1.

The UK-based social media app, founded by Christian Mercer-Hall, is an online social networking platform that provides refuge for people affected by HIV. Positive+1 offers a blend of connection, education and real support that goes beyond the screen.

Launched in November 2023, the application is in its early stages. With just over 5,000 users, according to public relations manager Lyle McAdam, the platform is intended to bring together people living with HIV, their loved ones and professionals working in the field. Thus, Mercer-Hall’s goal is to create a “vibrant, diverse community” based on shared understanding.

The app, in development for eight years, is the first of its kind for people affected by HIV. What makes it unique from other apps for The HIV community is that Positive+1 is a resource center with social media connectivity. According to McAdam, who I spoke with at SXSW, it’s a place where people living with HIV and their supporters can meet, share knowledge, find important resources, and make real connections with other people who understand what they are going through.

Education plays a crucial role in the response to HIV. According to KFF (formerly Kaiser Family Foundation), “an estimated 39 million people are currently living with HIV and tens of millions of people have died from AIDS-related causes since the epidemic began.” However, despite recent medical advances that make living with HIV possible, there are still massive stigma around the disease, its risks and how HIV is transmitted.

Positive+1 addresses this problem head on by providing a plethora of resources. From expert articles to personal stories about resilience, the platform ensures that knowledge and empowerment go hand in hand. Additionally, the Positive+1 team was supported by a network of charitable partners, including the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, AIDS United, AHF Pharmacy, Aid for AIDS Nevada (AFAN), and the HIV/AIDS Policy Team at White House. .

As previously noted, the app was recently launched, but is now available on the App store And Google Play Store. The app is available worldwide in the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and the United Kingdom.