BASHH welcomes data showing dramatic fall in new HIV diagnoses in MSM in London

The British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) welcomes new data published by Public Health England (PHE) which has revealed a dramatic fall in the number of new HIV diagnoses amongst men who have sex with men (MSM) attending selected sexual health clinics in London.The data shows that between October 2015 and September 2016, new HIV diagnoses fell by 32% across five selected London clinics compared to the previous year, directly coinciding with concerted efforts to increase HIV testing and rapidly initiate treatment on diagnosis. Commenting on the new figures, Dr Elizabeth Carlin, President of BASHH said:

This new data is hugely encouraging and demonstrates how we are able to significantly reduce onward transmission of HIV when we prioritise putting in place the strategies which we know are effective.Increased testing and rapid treatment are key components in the ongoing battle to eliminate HIV and it is essential that funding is available to enable these results to be replicated in all parts of the country, as well as ensuring that PrEP is made available to all those who need it as quickly as possible.BASHH believes everyone should know their HIV status and strongly encourages people to get tested.”