New data from UKHSA shows the steepest rise in HIV diagnoses among heterosexual men and women, particularly for minoritised groups.

The data shows that:

• 98% of people with diagnosed HIV on treatment are virally suppressed.
• Testing overall has increased, with testing in sexual health clinics increased by 34% since 2019 in gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM), but has fallen 10% in heterosexual men, and 22% in bisexual women.
• The overall number of HIV diagnoses first made in England has seen a 15% increase, from 2,451 in 2022 to 2,810 in 2023.
• 266 out of 811 diagnoses among GBMSM were among men from ethnic minority groups, an increase to 33% from 26% in 2019.

Robbie Currie, Chief Executive Officer of National AIDS Trust, says: 

“The latest data on HIV in England shows clearly that a continuing lack of equity and equality is standing in the way of people being able to live well with HIV, and puts the goal of ending new cases of HIV in this country at risk, despite the existence of safe and effective HIV medicines and treatments.

Over recent years, there has been much to celebrate with HIV treatment and prevention. These statistics show the continued high quality of care, with 98% of people living with diagnosed HIV in England now virally suppressed – meaning that they can’t pass the virus on. The increase in overall numbers of people accessing  PrEP – the drug that prevents people from acquiring HIV – is also hugely welcome. Along with the increasing testing rates seen in the data, the key foundations of being able to end HIV as an epidemic are in place.

However, a step-change in equitable healthcare provision, and tailored interventions that meet the needs of all people and communities, are now crucial to support everyone in England who is living with HIV. Not only is this right and just, but at a time where ending new cases of HIV is both possible and realistically achievable, it is an imperative. Ethnic minority communities, women, and people in vulnerable situations are too often being left behind in the fight against HIV. This leads to rising cases which could be prevented and late diagnoses which result in poorer health outcomes. These matters, alongside tailored and responsive support, must be urgently addressed so everyone can have a good quality of life when living with HIV.”

The UK Government must respond in full to the worsening disparities and trends that we see in this data, with a strategy, funding and action. We call on them to engage fully with experts in the HIV and sexual health sector, as well as marginalised voices and communities who are most directly affected by the health inequalities highlighted in this year’s data, and deliver the new HIV Action Plan by the end of the summer 2025.