Haringey Council joins pledge to achieve zero new diagnoses of HIV by 2030

Haringey Council has joined forces with councils across the capital to achieve zero new diagnoses of HIV by 2030.

According to local authorities, London is “on course” to achieve its target.

Forty years on since the first HIV diagnosis in the UK, as the capital marks World AIDS Day (Wednesday 1st December), the cross-party group, London Councils has reaffirmed its commitment, alongside City Hall, to the London HIV Prevention Programme and the “Do it London” public health campaign.

Launched in 2015, the campaign reminds Londoners that HIV is preventable, and that diagnosis is treatable.   

It has shared messages about prevention across the capital which has led to new diagnoses falling by 41% in London, faster than any other UK region.

However, HIV still remains a major public health challenge, in Haringey and nationwide.

Cabinet member for health, social care and well-being, Lucia das Neves, said: “The health of our residents is a priority, so we’re proud to back this annual campaign, which helps ensure more people in the borough are HIV aware, protecting themselves and each other.  

“By raising awareness and providing the facts, we’re confident that new HIV diagnoses will continue to fall and that more people can access treatment when they need it.”

Around 37,000 Londoners live with HIV, and it is estimated that 2,100 have an undiagnosed HIV infection.    

London Councils’ executive member for health, Danny Thorpe has said there is a “real hope of ending HIV altogether”.

He said: “Forty years of the HIV/AIDS pandemic gives us so much to reflect on and learn from. While there’s a huge amount of sorrow and loss, there’s also incredible progress being made and real hope of ending HIV altogether.

“London boroughs remain committed to working with each other and our partners on tackling HIV as a key public health challenge. If we maintain the momentum of recent years, we’re on course to achieve zero new HIV diagnoses by 2030.”

The Do it London campaign encourages the “four sure” methods of HIV prevention, which are regular testing, correct and consistent condom use, use of preventative pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) medication and use of antiretroviral medications to achieve an “undetectable” viral status.

A spokesperson for Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “World Aids Day is an important opportunity for Londoners to unite in the fight against HIV, to show support for those living with HIV and to commemorate those who have died from an AIDS-related illness.

“In 2019 London saw a 15% drop in new HIV cases compared to 10% across the UK but more work is needed to tackle HIV and the stigma of living with HIV.

“That’s why the mayor is working closely with NHS London, local authorities, the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, and other health partners to challenge stigma, health inequalities and misinformation and advocate for joined up and holistic care.”

Despite the progress that has been made in tackling HIV infections, significant health inequalities persist in the UK which disproportionately impact the LGBTQ+ community, women, and Black men and women of African heritage.

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