HIV and AIDS in the United Kingdom (UK)

The United Kingdom (UK) has a relatively small HIV epidemic, with an estimated 103,700 people living with HIV in 2014. This equates to an HIV prevalence of 1.9 per 1,000 people aged 15 and over.1 In the same year, 6,151 people were newly diagnosed with HIV and 613 people died of AIDS-related illnesses.2

Access to antiretroviral treatment in the UK has improved significantly over the past decade. In 2014, 91% of people living with HIV were receiving antiretroviral treatment (ART).3 However, late diagnosis of HIV remains a key challenge in this country, despite declining rates.

Moreover, evidence suggests that levels of HIV knowledge among the general population have fallen. This is due at least partly to a lack of public awareness campaigns and the absence of HIV from sexual and reproductive health education in schools.

The epidemic in the UK mainly affects men who have sex with men and black Africans.