National AIDS Trust says the UK will have 100,000 people living with HIV by 2010
Failure of investment in HIV prevention and education is putting thousands at risk

BLACK AFRICANS accounted for almost half of all new diagnoses in 2006 and black Caribbeans accounted for 3.2 per cent. Increasing numbers of black Africans and black Caribbeans are being infected heterosexually in the UK, and there are also significant numbers (26%) of black Caribbeans newly diagnosed who were infected through sex between men.

Worryingly, 40 per cent of black Africans and black Caribbeans were diagnosed late. This means they are more likely to pass on the infection and their long term health could be affected.

One in 33 black Africans in the UK and one in 400 black Caribbeans have been diagnosed with HIV.

The latest figures released today from the Health Protection Agency reveal that overall 7,800 people were diagnosed with HIV last year, and the numbers living with HIV in the UK were over 73,000 by the end of 2006.

One in three people do not know they are infected. If rates continue the National AIDS Trust says that by 2010 there will be 100,000 people living with HIV in the UK.

The continuing high numbers diagnosed come at a time when funding for HIV prevention is clearly inadequate. In the past 10 years the number of people being seen for HIV care has trebled, whilst a recent National AIDS Trust Deborah Jack, Chief Executive of the National AIDS Trust, commented;

For over ten years the Government and health services have been failing to bring HIV in the UK under control.

Among African and Caribbean communities we are witnessing continuing high rates of diagnosis. The Government must increase funding for prevention and testing aimed at BME communities, and this must include making the right policy decisions to reduce HIV stigma and discrimination.

Whilst global figures show some countries are making progress, the UK is consistently failing. Gordon Brown needs to match his commitment to tackling HIV internationally with real action at home.

The report also reveals worrying findings among young people among whom complacency about the virus is increasing. Young people aged 16 to 24 years old accounted for over 1 in 10 (11 per cent) of new HIV diagnosis last year.

Deborah Jack, Chief Executive of the National AIDS Trust, continues;

It is clear that as infections among young people increase, we need to review our prevention messages and invest in education and awareness. Only with a concerted effort can we address ignorance and complacency among young people.