New HIV cases down in gay men, up in heterosexual women - study

The number of gay men in England being diagnosed with HIV fell by 42 per cent in the last three years.

On World AIDS Day, campaigners say its a sign that awareness and treatments are working - but are concerned by an increase in new cases in heterosexual women.

Data seen by Hits Radio Pride shows:

• New diagnoses among gay and bisexual men fell 42% between 2019 and 2022
• Despite a significant fall in cases for gay white men, rates in men from ethnic backgrounds are not decreasing at the same rate
• Diagnosis in heterosexual women rates rose by 26% in 2022
• Women and ethnic minority populations were less likely to start or continue use of PrEP treatments

Normalising HIV testing and treatment

Campaigners say the data shows that once diagnosed and treated, people living with HIV can go on to live long and healthy lives, without passing on the virus.

But concerns remain that societal stigma, set during the 1980s, is stopping people talking openly and honestly about HIV, or leaving them too scared to get tested.

The drop in cases in gay and bisexual men, campaigners say, is a reflection of the cultural normalisation of testing and treatment in the LGBT community.

Deborah Gold, CEO of the National AIDS Trust told us: "We've got incredibly good at delivering the right messages and the right interventions.

"But I think we still haven't cracked that, in terms of getting messages right, for women and especially women from communities that are more at risk, such as black African women."

Deborah says female interactions with health services throughout life are good opportunities to discuss HIV with women: "You might be talking about diabetes, you might be talking about stopping smoking, you might be talking about HIV.

"It just needs to be part of that normal health package of things that people talk about.

"It's about giving opportunities for HIV tests, and conversations about HIV among other conversations in a normal way that doesn't pick HIV out as something special or different."

Further HIV testing rolled out to A&E departments

Sir Elton John has urged political leaders to do more to eliminate the AIDS epidemic, telling Parliament the UK "can be the first country in the world to defeat this awful virus".

The music superstar, 76, was honoured at a reception hosted by the All Party Parliamentary Group on HIV and AIDS at the Speaker's House, in recognition of his commitment to ending the epidemic through the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

It comes after Victoria Atkins, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, announced the UK Government will be expanding the roll-out of a HIV testing programme to 46 accident and emergency departments across England.

Sir Elton described it as "truly wonderful news" that the programme will expand from the current 33 sites to every high prevalence area.

He also urged "whoever wins the next general election" to do more to help end Aids worldwide by 2030.

"I implore you not to waste your allotted time as political leaders," Sir Elton said.

"Take action and push things a little further than might feel comfortable. And as you do, I can promise you this: I will be there with you.

Find out more

Find out more about HIV, testing and treatments from the National AIDS Trust.

You can also read more about the work of the Terrence Higgins Trust

And get NHS advice on HIV and testing

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