People in greatest need
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HIV cannot be passed on through kissing, touching, spitting, coughing or sneezing.
Asylum seekers, other people who do not have full UK residency status and prisoners are amongst the groups most seriously affected by HIV in the UK. There is also a strong link between HIV and poverty - one in three people diagnosed with HIV in the UK has experienced severe poverty at some time.
We are working to improve the lives of some of the most vulnerable people living with HIV in the UK and to ensure that they get the treatment, care and support that they need. We also want to make sure that people in greatest need have the information and means to protect themselves from infection.
Poverty
A report produced by NAT and Crusaid on HIV and Poverty in 2006 revealed that one in three people living with HIV have experienced severe poverty at some stage. We are working to bring about change and to tackle the root causes of poverty among people living with HIV, including addressing high levels of hate crime, unemployment and poor housing among people living with HIV.
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Prisons
Rates of HIV and Hepatitis C are much higher among prisoners than they are among the general population.
A survey of UK prisons by NAT and the Prison Reform Trust in 2005 revealed that prisoners frequently receive inadequate healthcare and access to prevention programmes in relation to HIV and Hepatitis C. In response we have produced guidance on responding to HIV and other blood-borne viruses in prison.
We are also campaigning to increase access to harm reduction measures in prisons.
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Asylum and migration
Some government policies in relation to asylum seekers and migrants to the UK harm the health and breach the human rights of people living with HIV.
Changes to the rules on entitlement to treatment on the NHS mean that some migrants living with HIV are denied access to free treatment, including treatment for HIV. We are continuing to campaign for everyone living with HIV to have access to life-saving treatment.
We are also working to ensure that asylum seekers have their needs understood and met at every stage of the UK asylum system.
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