Today UKHSA published the HIV Action Plan Monitoring and Evaluation Framework, a public health analysis of progress towards ending new HIV cases. The report finds that England is not on track to reach this goal by 2030.
UKHSA notes that there has been considerable progress towards reducing new HIV diagnoses among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) in England, but states that it is unlikely that the interim target of reducing new HIV transmission by 80% by 2025 will be met for any population. The government is committed to publishing a new HIV Action Plan by summer 2025.
Responding to UKHSA’s publication today of the latest HIV data for England, Richard Angell, OBE, Chief Executive of Terrence Higgins Trust said:
'Honesty is the best policy, and so we welcome this frank assessment of England’s progress towards ending new HIV cases. This is a refreshing acknowledgement of the stark reality that we are not on track to reach our targets.
'It is extremely disappointing to see an increase the number of new diagnoses in 2023, following a decrease the year before. While in London that annual increase can be partly attributed to the welcome programme of opt-out testing of HIV in hospital A&E departments, this is not the case for the rest of the country.
'What is also clear is that we have to do more to address the changing nature of the HIV epidemic. Today, much of the increase in infections comes from sex between men and women, with a 35% increase amongst heterosexual men and 30% among heterosexual women. We must be responsive to this.
'It also concerning that the decline in new transmissions amongst gay, bisexual and men who have sex with men is plateauing. There are also stark inequalities here – with a rise in the proportion of GBMSM diagnosed who are from an ethnic minority.
'It is good news that the total number of HIV tests carried out in sexual health settings rose by 8% in 2023, taking testing rates to 96% of where they were pre-Covid, in 2019. Encouragingly, there has been a 10% rise in testing among Black African people. While this rise in testing is welcome, gaps do remain. For example, testing levels among heterosexuals remains fully 10% lower than 2019, which is concerning.
'Each test means clarity and certainty for each person and access to lifesaving treatment and care which can improve lives and ultimately help grow the economy. What’s clear from this new data is that ending new HIV cases is still possible, but not probable. The new HIV Action Plan for England is an opportunity to turbo-boost those efforts and tell HIV, time’s up.'
