Words by sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust
National HIV Testing Week starts today (February 5) in England, at a time when testing levels are at a record high among gay and bisexual men.
There was a 7% increase in HIV testing among gay and bisexual men in 2022, with rates almost a quarter (23%) higher than before the Covid-19 pandemic in 2019 thanks to a jump in test kits ordered online.
This includes an increase in testing across all ethnicities when compared to 2019. For gay and bisexual men of black African ethnicity testing has increased by 48% since 2019, while there was a 38% increase among those of Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi ethnicity, according to UK Health Security Agency data.
But it’s important to avoid complacency and ensure testing levels are even higher in order to achieve the goal of ending new HIV cases by 2030, as well as increasing HIV testing across the wider population. In contrast, HIV testing in heterosexuals in England is down by a quarter since 2019.
Anyone can order a free HIV test kit to do at home via freetesting.hiv. While testing events and drop-ins are also happening across the country to mark National HIV Testing Week.
Gay and bisexual men are one of the groups most impacted by HIV in the UK since the very start of the epidemic, which is why getting tested is so important. There’s no way to know you’re living with HIV without testing and doing so is quick, easy and free.
Richard Angell, Chief Executive of sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust, said: “It’s brilliant news that HIV testing among gay and bisexual men is at a its highest ever level with an increase in testing across all ethnicities within that group. But we absolutely can’t afford to be complacent as we aim for ending new HIV cases by 2030. This number has been achieved in part because many of us are ordering tests online to do at home, which is quick, convenient and free. While testing in sexual health services is crucial for those who prefer to test in that way and for who at-home testing isn’t the best option.
“It’s so important that gay and bisexual men are engaged in HIV testing, with a negative result providing the opportunity to ensure you stay HIV negative by utilising options including PrEP. While, for those who do receive a positive diagnosis, you can then access the amazing treatment and support necessary to live well with HIV. There’s no better time to test for HIV that during National HIV Testing Week and we want to see gay and bisexual men testing at higher levels than ever before whatever your age, ethnicity or where you are in the country.”
Anyone can order a free HIV test kit to do at home via freetesting.hiv. While testing events and drop-ins are also happening across the country to mark National HIV Testing Week.