30 000 Africans living with HIV in the UK… 1 in 8 unaware of infection

As England’s fourth annual National HIV Testing Week, is launched new statistics released by Public Health England (PHE) reveal there are 3,900 people from black African communities in the UK who do not know they have HIV.

The latest statistics also show that in the UK, black African people continue to be the second most affected community by HIV after gay men.

Around 29,900 Africans are living with HIV in the UK with the latest statistics showing that 1 in 8 are unaware of their infection.

Responding to the released figures, leading HIV organisations under the umbrella of HIV Prevention England are calling on people from the groups most affected by HIV such as black African communities to get tested during National HIV Testing Week.

Takudzwa Mukiwa, Health Improvement Specialist, Terrence Higgins Trust said:

“National HIV Testing Week is a great opportunity for people to get tested and stay in control of their health. If you find out you have HIV you  can then access lifesaving treatment which is free, and if you don’t have HIV you can find out ways  to stay negative.”

National HIV Testing Week Ambassador Dr Christian Jessen said:

“I am proud to be the National HIV Testing Week Ambassador. Testing for HIV is crucial for prevention.

“The fact that diagnoses have increased is encouraging in one sense. If you get tested and receive a positive diagnosis, you are now immediately put on treatment, and if you are on medication and taking it correctly you are classed as ‘undetectable’ meaning the virus cannot be passed on.”

National HIV Testing Week is an initiative of HIV Prevention England, funded by Public Health England, and co-ordinated by Terrence Higgins Trust.

This joint prevention effort speaks directly to most affected communities about the importance of HIV testing, taking treatment (if you have HIV), and using condoms.

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HIV Prevention England (HPE) is a Terrence Higgins Trust led partnership of 34 community organisations that delivers the national HIV prevention programme for England funded by Public Health England (PHE).

It delivers a nationally co-ordinated programme of HIV prevention work with UK-based black African people and with gay men/men who have sex with men (MSM) as they are the two groups most affected by HIV in the UK.

·         National HIV Testing Week starts Saturday November 21, 2015. It is funded by Public Health England, and with support and participation from organisations in the public, statutory and private sectors, and promotes the benefits of regular testing and treatment for both the individual and community.

·         55 % of heterosexuals living with HIV in the UK are black African.

·         All HIV statics are from the HIV in the UK Report 2015 that can be accessed at  https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/hiv-in-the-united-kingdom

·         Follow the week on:  #ImTesting and #HIVTestWeek