Today the Mayor of London, London Councils, Public Health England and NHS England signed a historic pledge to join the international Fast-Track Cities initiative – part of a global effort to reduce HIV and HIV stigma.
London joins Brighton & Hove, who became the first UK city to sign up to the Fast-Track Cities initiative in August 2017.
The Fast-Track Cities partnership for London aims to exceed UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets, end HIV transmissions in London by 2030, stop preventable deaths from HIV-related causes, improve health and well-being for people living with HIV and eliminate stigma and discrimination.
The Fast track Cities 90-90-90 targets are:
♦ 90% of people living with HIV to be aware of their status
♦ 90% of people who know they’re HIV positive to be on treatment and
♦ 90% of people on treatment to have an undetectable viral load, at which point there’s a better chance of having a healthier and longer life
Deborah Gold, Chief Executive of NAT (National AIDS Trust), said: “I am absolutely delighted that London has signed up to be a Fast Track City, working to eliminate HIV. As one of the largest and most politically complex cities in the world, the Mayor of London, London Councils, NHS England and Public Health England should be particularly congratulated on coming together to commit to coordinate work in this crucial area.
“London is a world leader in its response to HIV, and the latest data shows that it meets the UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets for diagnosis, treatment and numbers of people living with HIV who have an undetectable viral load. The challenge in London will be to look beneath these figures and ensure that there are no excluded communities which are not benefiting from this progress. We will be unable to make real progress without also eliminating HIV stigma and discrimination, which permeates all areas of life for those at risk of and living with HIV. We look forward to working to create the first HIV stigma free city.”
To read the Fast-Track Cities Paris Declaration, click here:
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