South Tyneside Sexual Health supporting HIV Testing Week which runs nationally from 16th – 22nd November . Each year staff in South Tyneside support the national campaign to promote and encourage test uptake in the region
While new HIV diagnoses have fallen for a third consecutive year, the latest data from Public Health England (PHE) reports 43% of all diagnoses were late. PHE has once again repeated its warning that people diagnosed late face a ten-fold increased risk of short-term mortality.
Population groups with particularly high late diagnoses rates include:
- Heterosexual men (60%)
- Black African adults (52%)
- Those aged 50 and older (59%)
People diagnosed late are more likely to experience an AIDS-defining illness at the time of their diagnosis: this was true of 225 people in 2018, a similar number to 2017.
About National HIV Testing Week
National HIV Testing Week (NHTW) is our flagship annual event which seeks to promote regular testing among key populations. It aims to reduce the numbers of undiagnosed people and those diagnosed late. It is held every November ahead of World AIDS Day. This year NHTW starts on Saturday 16 November 2019.