Incredible work from @PHE_uk colleagues to release the annual HIV in the UK report today. Available to view here

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/931964/hpr2020_hiv19.pdf

This is amazing! In 2019,

94% people living with HIV in the UK have been diagnosed.

Of these, 98% people are on treatment.

Of the people on treatment, 97% have an undetectable viral load, which means their HIV is under control & they cannot pass it onto others through sex.

Also amazing, new HIV diagnoses have fallen by 10% in the last year, from 4580 to 4139.

As @PHE_uk say in the discussion, “The UK has made good, but uneven progress towards reducing HIV
transmission.”

- estimates indicate that twice as many people live with undiagnosed HIV outside of London than in London.

- the fall in new diagnoses is mostly seen in gay and bisexual men, and much less in heterosexuals.

- Late diagnosis. 42% of people diagnosed with HIV have CD4 counts of <350, indicating advanced disease & an 8 fold increased risk of HIV-related death.

As @PHE_uk say in the discussion:

“Further work is needed to address the inequalities in the progress towards reducing undiagnosed infection and HIV transmission that exist in relation to exposure to HIV, geography and ethnicity.”

How we can achieve HIV elimination through combination prevention, including testing, linkage to care & treatment & PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis).

Finally @PHE_uk comment on the need to keep people engaged in care & that we must be vigilant to the impacts of COVID-19 on HIV testing & care.

This is great work in challenging times. So grateful we have such a good HIV surveillance system.