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New HIV data shows UK is a global leader in response to the epidemic

Thursday, November 29, 2018

New data released today by Public Health England (PHE) shows astonishing progress towards the UN’s targets for combatting and containing the HIV epidemic. In particular, the 90-90-90 targets are exceeded. This positions the UK as a global leader in the response to HIV.

90-90-90 refers to the global aim by 2020 to have over 90% of those with HIV diagnosed and aware of their condition, 90% of those diagnosed on the necessary antiretroviral treatment, and 90% of those treated to have achieved viral suppression.

The latest figures show that in the UK 92% of people with HIV are diagnosed, 98% of those are on treatment and 97% of those are virally suppressed. Overall this means that 87% of those living with HIV in the UK have an undetectable viral load and cannot pass the virus on to others.

The report shows a continuing decline of infections amongst MSM (men who have sex with men) and for the first time a decline among heterosexuals in all communities.

Deborah Gold, Chief Executive of NAT (National AIDS Trust), said: “We are overjoyed to see the efforts of the health service and the HIV sector paying off so spectacularly. The recent data positions the UK as a global leader on HIV, and there is a great deal to celebrate in the detail. This includes reducing rates of infection being seen across all communities, and the very high proportion of people living with HIV who are non-infectious, which has immense benefits for the health of individuals and the wider public.

“This is an extraordinary moment in the fight against HIV – in which everything seems possible. We know what works. We have the tools. With the right political will, investment and public support, we can eliminate HIV as a public health threat and make real progress towards the UN target to end HIV-related stigma. The Government must explicitly commit to achieving zero new infections and zero stigma, and agree a plan as to how to get there.”

  1. The report is accessible here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/hiv-in-the-united-kingdom
  2. Data can be interrogated and analysed at Local Authority level via an online tool allowing a range of outputs to be generated.

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