Health

Data published today by the UK's Health Protection Agency shows that in 2008, an estimated 2,760 men who have sex with men (MSM) were newly diagnosed with HIV. This is 6% fewer than in 2007.  The fall is not due to a lack of testing - more people tested for the virus in 2008.

Despite fewer new diagnoses, record numbers of MSM are living with HIV in the UK, over 24,000 are diagnosed and almost 9,000 are undiagnosed.

In response to these statistics, Nick Partridge, Chief Executive, Terrence Higgins Trust said, "The level of undiagnosed HIV in the country is completely unacceptable. With early diagnosis and effective treatment, most people with HIV can live to old age. If left undiagnosed, they will die earlier, be significantly more ill and more likely to infect others. HIV testing is easy, quick and saves lives. Every sexually active gay man should get tested. There should be more testing offered in more settings and we need the political will to make this happen."

Terrence Higgins Trust is calling on the Government to introduce a national targeted screening programme to halve undiagnosed HIV in the UK by 2014. 

The UK theme for World AIDS Day 2009 will focus on the reality of HIV in the UK today. The aim is to present true, and sometimes surprising, accounts of how HIV affects people in the UK and to dispel myths and misinformation.

The slogan for World AIDS Day 2009 is "HIV: Reality"

The call to action is: Discover the real stories about HIV in the UK today. Understanding the facts is the key to fighting prejudice and protecting yourself and others.

“HIV: Reality” builds on last year’s popular “Respect & Protect” theme and this strapline remains a component of this year’s execution. NAT’s research has shown that public knowledge of HIV in the UK is declining and there is evidence of a worrying lack of understanding about HIV and its relevance in a UK context. For people to respect and protect themselves and others, they need to understand the facts and reality of HIV in the UK.

Read more: World Aids Day 2009

All gay men, regardless of their HIV status, are responsible for safer sex. This World AIDS Day, GMFA, the gay men’s health charity, will be promoting this message across the London gay scene with a new postcard campaign and host of fundraising events. 

Matthew Hodson, Head of Programmes at GMFA, says: “This is a simple yet important health message that we want to get across. Many HIV-negative men believe it’s up to positive men not to infect others, while many HIV-positive men believe HIV-negative men should take responsibility to protect themselves. The truth is we are all responsible for our own health as well as that of our partners.”

Unsafe sex between gay men, HIV positive and HIV negative, is behind the spread of HIV in the gay community. Both positive and negative gay men in the UK engage in high-risk sexual activity - specifically, fucking without condoms - with men whose status they do not know, or whose status they know to be different to their own.

Read more: Hey You! Take Responsibility For Safer Sex

On Thursday 26th November a one off celebrity extravaganza will take West London’s The Paradise by storm and will see some of the biggest names in fashion and music performing live onstage. 

The Hepatitis C Trust’s GET TESTED! campaign is collaborating with Cover To Cover to rasie awareness of Hepititis C. 

Together they have pooled their resources and come up with a fantastic line up of artists who will bring you their favourite covers. Upstairs the likes of Boy George, David Mcalmont, Dot Allison and Sadie Frost will perform covers of their favourite songs backed by a live band. Downstairs the Cover To Cover residents Sean Rowley and Christian Laing, Ed Simons (The Chemical Brothers), Justin Robertson, Alan McGee and Dan Williams (Jezebel Sound System) will be playing their favourite cover records. 

The GET TESTED! campaign encourages people to get tested for hepatitis C if they think they have been at risk. In 2010 GET TESTED! will be raising money to employ a blood borne virus nurse and a bus to tour the country testing people in hard to reach areas. 

Read more: Get Tested! Get Covered with Boy George

Terrence Higgins Trust is launching a new campaign today teaching gay men just how HIV is passed on during unprotected anal sex. With little or no sex education relevant to young gay men in schools this new campaign gives a valuable biology lesson to fill these important knowledge gaps.

The ‘Biology of Transmission’ campaign, aimed especially at younger men and others new to gay sex, gets vital HIV transmission information across using three striking ‘bottom’ themed images;

 - the sponge – illustrating how the lining of the rectum absorbs semen and pre-cum containing HIV.
 - the eggs – covering how the rectal lining can be damaged during fucking or when objects enter the rectum, allowing HIV easier entry into the bloodstream.
 - the peach – explaining how (often unnoticed) sexually transmitted infections make it easier for HIV to be passed on due to skin damage inside the rectum

Read more: Sponge, Eggs, Peach? New Safer Sex Guide