A recent report on HIV figures in England has found that Salford is an area of high prevalence.
The sexual health report published by the UK Health Security Agency revealed that Salford’s residents diagnosed with HIV per 1,000 people aged 15 to 59 years in 2022 more than double the national average.
Figures show the rate in England is two per 1,000 residents aged 15 to 59 years, while, Salford’s rate is 4.8 per 1,000 residents aged 15 to 19 years.
Salford’s rate is the second highest in the North West, with Manchester’s rate of 5.8 being the highest.
The alarming figures have led to the 2022 to 2025 HIV Action Plan (jointly developed by the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities and UKHSA) that aims to reduce the number of transmissions by 80%.
The aim of the action plan will also hope to reduce the number of HIV related and preventable deaths and AIDS by 50% between 2019 and 2025.
The report shared that there are methods in which they will achieve this, which include ensuring equitable access and uptake of HIV prevention programmes, optimising rapid access to treatment and retention in care, and scaling up HIV testing in line with national guidelines.
The plan also intends to improve the quality of life for people living with HIV and want people to address the stigma around the disease.
The methods have led to the Public Health England aiming to completely eliminate HIV transmissions by 2030.
And this will be achieved with residents having access to free tests through sexual health clinics, GP surgeries, as well as through a self-sampling service or by using a self-testing kit.
The NHS have also shared ways to reduce the disease by promoting safe sex, harm reduction that include sharing needles, and receiving testing and treatment.
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