World AIDS Day, held every year on December 1st, brings people together to fight against HIV, support those living with the virus, and remember those we’ve lost.
What’s Happening in Wales?
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PrEP is Saving Lives
Over 5,000 people in Wales have been prescribed PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) since it became available. In 2023 alone, 2,226 people started PrEP, a 3.5% increase from 2022. -
HIV Testing is Growing
In 2023, over 113,000 people were tested for HIV—the highest number ever recorded in Wales and a 12.8% rise from 2022. More people are using home testing, which made up 21% of all tests. -
New Patterns in HIV Transmission
HIV transmission has changed in recent years. While it was mostly spread through sex between men, since 2021, most new cases have been linked to heterosexual sex. -
Treatment is Working
HIV treatment (ART) helps people live longer and prevents transmission. In 2023, 91% of people on treatment in Wales had a suppressed viral load, meaning they couldn’t pass on the virus. -
More People are Receiving Care
The number of people receiving HIV care in Wales has increased to 2,765 in 2023, though the prevalence of HIV remains lower here than in England and Scotland.
Challenges
Unfortunately, 2023 saw the highest number of deaths among people living with HIV in five years. Most occurred more than 12 years after diagnosis. Work is underway to understand the causes and improve care.
December Health Clinic
When?
3rd December 2024, 09:30 – 13:00
Where?
Newport, The Hub (NP20 1LE)
What’s Available?
- Flu and COVID-19 jabs
- Sexual health checks
- Blood-borne virus (BBV) point-of-care testing
If you’d like a BBV test, talk to your nurse or keyworker—they can arrange this for you.
This is a great chance to look after your health.
Find Out More
For more information and support, visit the Terrence Higgins Trust or Dean Street. Let’s work together to raise awareness and make a difference this World AIDS Day.