Whilst scientific understanding of HIV, and how to treat it, has developed rapidly over the last two decades, social attitudes are changing much more slowly.

A recent NAT survey revealed that 69% of people feel there is still a great deal of stigma in the UK around HIV and one in three people living with HIV report having experience discrimination.

The stigma experienced by people living with HIV means that they are often nervous of accessing legal redress in discrimination cases, particularly fearing wider disclosure of their HIV status.

To address issues of stigma, we are calling for greater efforts by government to address stigma directly, improvements to discrimination legislation and greater visibility of HIV in society.

We continue to work with the media to improve reporting of stories involving HIV.  Find out what we're saying to editors, journalists and anyone who writes about issues relating to HIV here.

We are calling for a number of changes which will make a significant and lasting difference and in the long term reduce the stigma experienced by people living with HIV:

• Government action to make sex and relationships education compulsory in schools to teach a new generation of young people about HIV as well as social issues such as stigma and discrimination.
• An end to inaccurate and sensational reporting for HIV in the media.
• Greater, and supportive, visibility for people living with HIV both in media and cultural representation, and in public life.
• Provisions in the new Equality Bill dealing with discrimination by perception and association and on multiple discrimination.
• Development of cross-departmental plans for each nation to combat HIV-related stigma and discrimination which include health, employment, education, immigration and community development.
• The planning, resourcing and coordination by the UK's departments of health of sustained education and training for all NHS staff to eradicate HIV stigma and discrimination from the NHS.

HIV Stigma and Discrimination workshop report

The Independent Advisory Group (IAG) on HIV and Sexual Health is currently undertaking a review of HIV policy issues. As part of that process a number of sector workshops have been held, including one organised on behalf of the IAG by NAT and THT in November 2008 on HIV-related Stigma and Discrimination.  Download a copy of the workshop report and presentations here.  The IAG report will be published shortly.

Diana, Princess of Wales

As patron of NAT Diana, Princess of Wales challenged the stigma of the virus. NAT continues her legacy by working to end HIV-related stigma and discrimination and to make tackling HIV a priority for both the Government and the public. You can find out more about Diana's role here.