Poverty and Social Disadvantage

Asylum seekers, undocumented migrants and prisoners are amongst the vulnerable communities most seriously affected by HIV in the UK.  There is also a strong link between HIV and poverty- one in three people diagnosed with HIV in the UK has experienced severe poverty at some time.

The National AIDS Trust is working to improve the lives of some of the most vulnerable people living with HIV in the UK and to ensure that they get the treatment, support and care that they need.

HIV and Migration

Some government policies in relation to asylum seekers and migrants to the UK harm the health and breach the human rights of people living with HIV. 

• Changes to the rules on entitlement to treatment on the NHS mean that refused asylum seekers and people of undocumented residency status living with HIV are denied access to free treatment, including treatment for HIV.  The National AIDS Trust is continuing its campaign for everyone living with HIV in the UK to have access to life-saving treatment.  Read the National AIDS Trust's submission to the Health Committee on this issue here.  For more information and resources go to the Access to Treatment webpage.
  
  
•  The policy of dispersing asylum seekers across the UK has resulted in people living with HIV being moved at short notice without proper arrangements for continuity of care and treatment.  This can cause serious ill health and possible drug resistance.  The National AIDS Trust is working with healthcare managers at both initial accommodation and removal centres for asylum seekers, as well as Border and Immigration Agency officials, to ensure that asylum seekers living with HIV receive the best possible support, treatment and care.  Read the National AIDS Trust's submission to the Joint Committee of Human Rights on the Treatment of Asylum Seekers here.  For more information and resources go to the Migration Policy webpage.

HIV in prison

Rates of HIV and Hepatitis C are much higher among prisoners than they are among the general population.   A survey of UK prisons by the National AIDS Trust and the Prison Reform Trust in 2005 revealed that prisoners receive inadequate healthcare and access to prevention programmes in relation to HIV and Hepatitis C.  In response the National AIDS Trust has produced guidance on responding to HIV and other blood-borne viruses in prison. Download a copy of Tackling Blood-Borne Viruses in Prison here. For more information and resources go to the Prisons and detention webpage.

HIV and Poverty

A report produced by the National AIDS Trust and Crusaid on HIV and Poverty in 2006 revealed that one in three people living with HIV have experienced severe poverty at some stage.  Read the HIV and Poverty report here. The National AIDS Trust is working to bring about change and to tackle the root causes of poverty among people living with HIV, including addressing high levels of hate crime, unemployment and poor housing among people living with HIV.

The National AIDS Trust relies on donations, which enable us to carry out this important work.  Find out how you can support us.