23 January 2020

New data published by Public Health England (PHE) has shown a decline in new HIV diagnoses.

The British HIV Association (BHIVA) says this is because:

  • Treatment has become more effective
  • There has been an increase in HIV testing
  • There has been an increase in using pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)

Dr Laura Waters who chairs the BHIVA and is CNWL’s HIV and Hepatitis Lead said:

“In 2018, 93 per cent of people living with HIV in the UK were diagnosed and almost all of them – 97 per cent - were on effective antiretroviral medication, which prevents them passing HIV on to sexual partners.  There are also fewer and fewer people with undiagnosed HIV, leading to fewer new transmissions.  Regular HIV testing and PrEP also contribute to the decline in new diagnoses, evidenced by the particularly large fall (35 per cent from 2014 to 2018) amongst gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men. However, we must ensure these successes are replicated amongst all people at risk of HIV.”

Early diagnosis is essential to treatment with late diagnosis increasing the risk of death by 43 per cent.

To read the full report, visit the BHIVA website.

If you are based in London or Surrey, you can find a clinic nearby on CNWL’s sexual health website. We offer free and confidential sexual health services including HIV testing. The Trust has a PrEP trial running at its Mortimer Market and Archway clinics. To find the service most appropriate to you, please visit the website to book an appointment.