For the first time since the 80s, new HIV diagnoses are declining among gay and bi men in the UK

For the first time since the beginning of the epidemic in the 80s, new HIV diagnoses are declining among gay and bisexual men in the UK.

London LGBTI community saw the steepest fall of 29%, (1,554 in 2015 to 1,096 in 2016), with the rest of the country at 21% (3,570 in 2015 to 2,810 in 2016).

Compared to the population at large, there was an 18% fall. There were 5,164 new HIV diagnoses in 2016, compared to 6,286 in 2015.

‘Most exciting development in the UK HIV epidemic in 20 years’

Experts call it the ‘most exciting development in the UK HIV epidemic in 20 years’.

Dr Valerie Delpech, head of HIV surveillance at Public Health England, said: ‘This is very good news.

‘It is the first time since the beginning of the HIV epidemic in the 1980s that we have observed a decline in new HIV diagnoses among gay and bisexual men and is clear evidence that HIV prevention efforts are working in the United Kingdom.

The vast majority of transgender people in the US have never had a HIV testTerrence Higgins Trust | Facebook

A majority of transgender people in the US have never had a HIV test

‘Our success in reducing transmission is due to high levels of condom use among gay men, and a sharp rise in the number of men testing for HIV each year, with those at greatest risk testing more frequently. Early diagnosis is also key to making sure that people benefit from HIV treatments so they can live long and healthy lives and are protected from passing on the virus to others.’

And while HIV charities are applauding this development, they would like to see what is happening in London be implemented across the UK.

Deborah Gold, chief executive of the National AIDS Trust, said:

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