The number of black Africans being seen for HIV care has increased nearly seven-fold between 1998 and 2007 to over 20,600.

Poverty affects significant numbers of people living with HIV across all groups, but there is particular disadvantage in employment, income and housing for black African heterosexuals living with HIV.

Over three quarters of children under the age of 15 living with HIV are black African. The majority of these are in school - one of the reasons why schools need to understand how best to meet the needs of children (and teachers) living with HIV and treat them fairly.

Opt-out testing for HIV during pregnancy has helped ensure that amongst women, rates of undiagnosed HIV infection have fallen, but over 40% of black African men in the UK are diagnosed late. This is why we need a change in testing culture: we'd like at least 80% of African men and women to have had an HIV test and this requires fresh thinking and new approaches.