When Terry Higgins died 40 years ago, the virus didn\u2019t even have a name, there wasn\u2019t a test for HIV, let alone any treatment. Now, people living with HIV on effective treatment can have a normal life expectancy and can\u2019t pass it on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It could never have been envisaged by our founders, but now we are in a position to end new HIV cases, and do it by 2030. The next government must do all in its power to make that possibility a reality. Every parliamentarian elected on 4 July 2024 will have a role to play in making this happen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While progress has been made \u2013 PrEP free on the NHS, opt-out testing across the highest prevalence parts of the country and the rolling back of stigmatising laws \u2013 every day we are missing chances to make that goal a reality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Waiting times for PrEP average more than 12 weeks. You are more likely than not to be turned away from a sexual health clinic if you want an appointment and don\u2019t have symptoms. It\u2019s impossible to get a postal HIV and STI test in some parts of the country. 14,000 diagnosed people are not taking their medication. Health inequalities that have always been part of this epidemic run deeper than ever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To end new HIV cases, we have to turn this around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n