HPA - Updated HIV figures published today

1 Sep 2011 01:42 PM

Data released today by the Health Protection Agency shows that almost 70,000 persons were accessing HIV-related care at the end of 2010, an increase of 4,100 (6%) compared to 2009. An estimated 90% were being treated as indicated under the current national guidelines.

Men who have sex with men remain the group most at risk of becoming infected with HIV, with 3,000 new diagnoses made in 2010 - the largest ever annual number of new HIV diagnoses in this group since the HIV epidemic began.   

Dr Valerie Delpech, head of HIV at the Health Protection Agency, said: 

"Despite progress in delivering treatment, preventing transmission is critical to reducing HIV costs to the NHS, which were an estimated £484 million in 2010 - an increase of £49 million from the previous year. 

"The best way to prevent all sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, is to practise safe sex. This means using a condom with all new sexual partners until you have both been tested and given the all-clear."

Notes to editors

The full set of data is available from the HIV pages:

New HIV Diagnoses

http://www.hpa.org.uk/Topics/InfectiousDiseases/InfectionsAZ/HIV/NewHIVDiagnoses/

Number of persons accessing HIV care

http://www.hpa.org.uk/Topics/InfectiousDiseases/InfectionsAZ/HIV/AccessingHIVCare