Brighton & Hove is leading the way in HIV prevention

It’s been five years since Brighton & Hove became the first UK Fast Track City and signed the Paris Declaration on ending HIV/AIDS as a public health threat. There are now over 400 cities from around the world which are part of the Fast Track Cities initiative, all aiming for zero new HIV transmission by 2030.

In Brighton & Hove we have made great progress against the targets.

  • 95% of residents are diagnosed and know their HIV status
  • 98% of those are on antiretroviral treatment
  • 99% of those on treatment have achieved viral suppression, which means they cannot pass the virus on.

Brighton & Hove’s progress as a Fast Track City is a city-wide effort overseen by the Towards Zero HIV Taskforce which is a partnership between the council, chaired by the leader of the council, Councillor Phélim Mac Cafferty, NHS, the Martin Fisher Foundation, the voluntary sector, including the Terrence Higgins Trust and Lunch Positive, members of the community, academics and clinicians. 

Councillor Sue Shanks, chair of the Brighton & Hove Health & Wellbeing Board said:

“Our Towards Zero HIV Taskforce is a fantastic example of city-wide collaboration and I’m proud of the work all partners have put in for us to get to this point.

“We have some of the some of the best HIV support, treatment and prevention services in the country and we have worked together to make HIV testing easily available across the city.

“It’s fantastic achievement that most people in Brighton & Hove now know their status and are on treatment. The challenge now is to identify and treat those who don’t yet know and address HIV-related stigma and discrimination.”

Testing is key

We have excellent access to HIV testing in Brighton & Hove in a variety of settings. This has been significantly expanded by the recent introduction of opt-out HIV testing for all patients having bloods taken at A&E at the Royal Sussex County Hospital. Since being introduced in April 2022, 15,000 attendances have included an HIV test.

Treatment for HIV is now so effective that that once diagnosed and on treatment, it is impossible to pass on the virus.

For people who test negative, correct and consistent use of condoms will protect against HIV, and people at higher risk can also access pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent infection.

If everyone who tests positive begins treatment promptly, and everyone who is negative and is at ongoing risk accesses effective prevention initiatives, then we can end new HIV transmissions.

The Martin Fisher Foundation has put together a short explainer video to show how we can end HIV transmission. 

It’s quick and easy to get an HIV test in Brighton & Hove

More information

Have a look at the full progress report for the Brighton & Hove Towards Zero Taskforce, as presented to the Health & Wellbeing Board on 8 November.

Looking ahead to World AIDS Day

Held globally each year on 1 December, World AIDS Day is a chance to show support for people living with HIV and commemorate those who have died from an AIDS-related illness.

At the end of the month activities will be taking place in the city to mark World AIDs Day. These include the Candlelight Vigil in New Steine Gardens at 6pm on Thursday 1 December.

Find out more about other events on the Brighton & Hove World AIDs Day Facebook page.