BHIVA (British HIV Association), the UK’s leading association representing professionals in HIV care, has expressed ‘deep concern’ in response to the Health Protection Agency’s (HPA) annual report on HIV in the UK.
The HPA figures show that the continued late diagnosis of people living with HIV poses a significant challenge for the UK healthcare system.
People diagnosed late have a tenfold increased risk of death in the first year after they are diagnosed when compared to those diagnosed with earlier stages of infection according to the Health Protection Agency. Late diagnosis also increases the risk of HIV related ill-health, of HIV being acquired by others, and significantly increases the costs of treatment. BHIVA (British HIV Association), the UK’s leading association representing professionals in HIV care, has expressed ‘deep concern’ in response to the Health Protection Agency’s (HPA) annual report on HIV in the UK.
The HPA figures show that the continued late diagnosis of people living with HIV poses a significant challenge for the UK healthcare system.
People diagnosed late have a tenfold increased risk of death in the first year after they are diagnosed when compared to those diagnosed with earlier stages of infection according to the Health Protection Agency. Late diagnosis also increases the risk of HIV related ill-health, of HIV being acquired by others, and significantly increases the costs of treatment.
Professor Jane Anderson, Chair of BHIVA said:
“2011 saw the highest ever rate of new HIV diagnoses among Men who have Sex with Men (MSM), a worrying trend that has seen a steady increase since 2007. But HIV is not limited to MSM. New diagnoses of HIV in heterosexuals where the infection was probably acquired in the UK is around 50%, almost double 2002 levels.
