Wolverhampton behind national average in tackling HIV early
A national charity is calling on Wolverhampton Council to tackle the high levels of late-diagnosed HIV in the city.
According to research from the National AIDS Trust, in Wolverhampton 66 per cent of people are diagnosed late – meaning they will have had HIV for at least four years.
The UK average is 42 per cent.
Late diagnosis can mean a decreased life expectancy, worse health and a greater chance of passing the virus on. People diagnosed late have an eleven-fold increased risk of death within one year of HIV diagnosis compared to those diagnosed on time.
The earlier someone is diagnosed and is able to access treatment the less likely they are to acquire HIV-related illnesses, and consequently there is a reduced need for expensive inpatient care.
Deborah Gold, chief executive of National AIDS Trust, said: "Wolverhampton Council is responsible for ensuring its residents have the information they need about HIV risk and testing.
"We know that up to 80 per cent of people get HIV from someone who doesn't know they have it.
"Making sure people have access to HIV tests in GPs surgeries, A&Es and community settings not only helps individuals but prevents further HIV transmission."
The National AIDS Trust's new report 'HIV prevention in England's high prevalence local authorities' looks at HIV prevention funding across the country.
It has found local authorities in areas with high prevalence of HIV are spending only 0.1 per cent of their local public health allocation on HIV prevention.
