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Following the release of the latest UKHSA data on HIV in England, we are extremely concerned to see media reporting which wilfully misrepresents the statistics and fuels racist and anti-migrant sentiment. We oppose the inflammatory language used to vilify people living with HIV and won’t stand by while harmful and stigmatising narratives are being used against our community.
It is a fact that the vast majority of people that come to the UK who are living with HIV have already been diagnosed in their home countries and are on effective anti-viral treatment. This means they have an undetectable viral load and cannot pass the virus on. What the data does show is that some communities in England are experiencing a rise in cases and late diagnoses which could be prevented, resulting in poorer health. The misleading discourse in some parts of the media risks taking attention away from addressing the very real inequalities that do exist.
We welcome people coming to the UK, and value the enrichment that they bring to our public services, our culture and society. No matter where someone is born, we all have the right to live a happy and healthy life, and National AIDS Trust strongly condemns anyone who seeks to sow divisions, and jeopardises people seeking treatment that improves individual and societal health outcomes.