This month, the annual data on HIV was published. It was shocking to discover that new infections among 15-24-year-olds have almost doubled over the past 10 years. In a country recognised for doing such groundbreaking work on HIV, this development is difficult to comprehend.
In 2012, the UK had the best clinical outcomes for people living with HIV in the world. More people are receiving care than before and the once universally fatal virus now has the potential to be a long-term, manageable condition. This is welcome progress, but for new diagnoses to be increasing in the next generation shows we are not educating and protecting our young people as well as we should.
This is a serious public health challenge and one I hope local authorities, one year into their new role as commissioners of HIV prevention services, are starting to address.
Responsibility for HIV services is now split, with NHS England in charge of HIV treatment and local authorities commissioning testing and prevention. Professionals are concerned this is leading to inconsistent care and support.
These reforms are a threat to the joined-up approach we know works best. But, they do also offer opportunities for local authorities to work in new and innovative ways to send a clear message – prevention is always better than cure.
First, we need to address the stigma surrounding HIV so that young people feel able to talk about it and ask questions without fear. Councillors have an important role to play in leading by example by championing HIV and sexual health services – an area still considered taboo by many. HIV prevention should be a key strand of work in joint strategic needs assessments and health and wellbeing board plans.
Second, in order to be effective we need young person-specific services and awareness-raising. Many young people are still not receiving adequate information about how they can protect themselves against the dangers of HIV. We need to improve education within schools and beyond.
Along with tackling stigma and raising awareness, if we are to effectively prevent HIV in young people, we must tackle the other factors and pressures that put them at risk. Local authorities are well placed to mobilise the wide range of services that are needed.
If we are to avoid another decade where the number of young people contracting HIV doubles, we must work together to build on this good practice and ensure that rather than the exception, it becomes the norm.
Luciana Berger is shadow public health minister
