The initiative brings several organizations and businesses together, including the Elton John AIDS Foundation, Johnson & Johnson, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. It will focus on "delivering effective HIV/AIDS services for men," including increased testing and treatment of the disease.

 

“Inspired by the growing alarm at the rate of new HIV infections among young women, the MenStar coalition is bravely tackling the root cause of this problem -- the lack of awareness of HIV prevention amongst hard-to-reach young men," Harry said in a speech at the conference. "Too many around the world are still ignoring the damaging knock-on effect on education and other community services from not prioritizing HIV prevention and treatment."

 

The first project MenStar Coalition is undertaking is promoting HIV self-testing of young men in Kenya.

 

“If we want to end AIDS once and for all, we must make men part of the solution,” Elton John said.

 

Harry, of course, is following in the impressive footsteps of his mother Princess Diana. She was one of the first celebrities to become active in the fight against HIV and AIDS, trying to erase its stigma by meeting and making physical contact with those suffering from the disease.

 

It's sometimes easy to forget that HIV/AIDS is still killing people. Prevention, early diagnosis and treatment are as important as they ever were.