Too many Londoners still in the dark about HIV 30 years on

National AIDS Trust and Mayor of London join forces to raise awareness and tackle stigma

Less than half (44%) of Londoners can identify all the ways of getting HIV – sex without a condom between a man and a woman, sex without a condom between two men, and sharing needles or syringes - compared to 65% of the general population[i], new research reveals today.

NAT (National AIDS Trust) research, commissioned from Ipsos MORI, reveals Londoners have lower levels of awareness and understanding of HIV and lower levels of support for people living with the condition than the country as a whole. This is despite 35% of all people with HIV in the UK living in the capital[ii].

NAT is joining forces with the Mayor of London this World AIDS Day to urge Londoners to get educated about HIV and help eradicate the stigma, fear and confusion that still persists in the capital. A lack of understanding about how you get HIV is fuelling the ongoing HIV epidemic. There were 2,719 new HIV diagnoses in London alone last year[iii].

Other statistics in the report include:

• Almost a quarter (22%) of Londoners wrongly believe if someone gets HIV they will probably die within three years, more than twice the proportion in the general population (9%)[iv]. In fact if you are diagnosed in good time and are on effective HIV treatment you can expect to have a normal lifespan[v].

• Only a third (33%) of Londoners strongly agree that 'if someone in my family told me they were HIV positive it would not damage my relationship with them' compared to almost half (49%) of the general population.

• Less than a quarter (23%) of Londoners strongly agree they would be comfortable working with someone with HIV, compared to a third (32%) of the general population. Almost half of Londoners (43%) feel they should be told if one of their work colleagues had HIV, compared with a third (32%) of the general population - a completely unnecessary requirement as it would be impossible to transmit HIV in a day-to-day working environment.

All but one of the 33 local authority areas in London are considered a high HIV prevalence area, meaning diagnosed HIV is at least 2 people per 1,000. London has some of the country’s highest HIV prevalence - in Lambeth for example one in 68 people are living with diagnosed HIV[vi]. One in eight gay and bisexual men in London aged 15-59 are living with HIV[vii].

In an effort to address HIV stigma in the capital NAT and the Greater London Authority are hosting a World AIDS Day event around the theme 'Ending HIV stigma: Everyone's business'. The event will bring together people affected by HIV, health and social care professionals and other members of the public. It will feature speeches from Shadow Public Health Minister, Luciana Berger MP, and Deputy Mayor of London, Victoria Borwick, as well as a panel discussion hosted by ITV's Dr Ranj on how together we can end HIV stigma. There will be a specially recorded video message from Annie Lennox, the Mayor's London HIV Ambassador, and a live performance by Joyful Noise, an award-winning choir of people living with HIV.

City Hall is also presenting a photographic exhibition, including a collaboration between some of London’s best photographers; Pip, Jeff Boudreau and David Locke of supporters such as actors Ian McKellen and Andrew Scott and rugby star and campaigner Ben Cohen wearing the red ribbon, for NAT’s Put A Ribbon On It campaign. All images were shot at Headshot London Studio. The campaign asks the public to challenge HIV stigma by wearing a red ribbon in solidarity with people living with HIV.

Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, said: “In spite of HIV being with us for over 30 years and its high prevalence in London, this National AIDS Trust report shows that sadly more needs to be done to change attitudes and knowledge about the condition. Ignorance is helping to fuel stigma and fear, which have a huge influence on whether a person is likely to seek advice and get tested.

“Let's dispel the myths and taboos that still surround HIV. I urge all Londoners – individuals, families, friends, businesses, public services, politicians – to find out more about HIV, challenge ignorance and make it our business to end its stigma.”

Deborah Gold, chief executive, NAT (National AIDS Trust), said: “London is a world-leader in business, culture, industry. Unfortunately one area where we are not in the lead is in our understanding and attitudes towards HIV.

“Living with HIV today is a world away from the beginning of the epidemic – people are living longer, are healthier, HIV medication has fewer side-effects and in most cases people with HIV can do all the things they did before getting the virus. But the attitudes of too many people in London seem to be stuck in the early 80s.”

Deborah concludes: “To address this pervasive lack of understanding about HIV, NAT is calling on all Londoners to think about their own knowledge and understanding. To read up on the facts about HIV and what it is like to live with the condition. To challenge HIV stigma and ignorance where they see it; at work, at home, at school. And to wear a red ribbon on World AIDS Day to show support and solidarity with the 34,400 Londoners who are living with HIV. Only together can we ensure HIV stigma is a thing of the past.”

To take part in NAT’s Put A Ribbon On It campaign please visit www.worldaidsday.org.uk/campaign - or read the facts about HIV at www.hivaware.org.uk