Extend free HIV home testing to all areas of the UK during lockdown
Extend free HIV home testing to all areas of the UK during lockdown
The Issue
Lockdown provides an unparalleled opportunity to beat HIV in the UK. HIV transmission has dramatically fallen with social distancing measures. Knowing one's HIV status is crucial to bringing us closer to zero-transmission.
Reduced face-to-face services during COVID-19 lockdown means that home testing is the key way people can test. Access to free home testing is restricted across the UK, depending on your local council and eligibility.
It is estimated that there are over twice as many undiagnosed HIV cases outside of London than inside London. During National HIV Testing Week, Public Health England funds free HIV home testing for everyone in England. A similar scheme should be put in place during lockdown across the whole of the UK for a nation-wide approach to ending HIV transmission and providing support for HIV positive individuals. We are asking the Department of Health to work with the regional public health bodies to fund this service.
Why is lockdown the perfect moment to provide free HIV home testing?
- People are most infectious when recently infected with HIV, and are usually unaware of their HIV status during this period. 7 weeks into lockdown, it is estimated that there are fewer highly infectious individuals in the population.
- Home testing kits are most effective at detecting infection ~4 weeks after catching HIV. Most people in the UK with undiagnosed HIV will have caught the infection more than 4 weeks ago.
- Anti-retroviral treatment for HIV positive individuals is continuing under lockdown. This ensures support & care for newly diagnosed HIV individuals. Furthermore, effective treatment results in an undetectable viral load, meaning that the virus cannot be passed on.
We are aware that our health care system is under immense pressure with the COVID-19 pandemic, and we fully support the amazing work that they are doing. However, we may never again have such an opportunity to beat an epidemic that started nearly 40 years ago.
Go to this site to check if you are currently eligible for a free home test, and help beat HIV.
386
The Issue
Lockdown provides an unparalleled opportunity to beat HIV in the UK. HIV transmission has dramatically fallen with social distancing measures. Knowing one's HIV status is crucial to bringing us closer to zero-transmission.
Reduced face-to-face services during COVID-19 lockdown means that home testing is the key way people can test. Access to free home testing is restricted across the UK, depending on your local council and eligibility.
It is estimated that there are over twice as many undiagnosed HIV cases outside of London than inside London. During National HIV Testing Week, Public Health England funds free HIV home testing for everyone in England. A similar scheme should be put in place during lockdown across the whole of the UK for a nation-wide approach to ending HIV transmission and providing support for HIV positive individuals. We are asking the Department of Health to work with the regional public health bodies to fund this service.
Why is lockdown the perfect moment to provide free HIV home testing?
- People are most infectious when recently infected with HIV, and are usually unaware of their HIV status during this period. 7 weeks into lockdown, it is estimated that there are fewer highly infectious individuals in the population.
- Home testing kits are most effective at detecting infection ~4 weeks after catching HIV. Most people in the UK with undiagnosed HIV will have caught the infection more than 4 weeks ago.
- Anti-retroviral treatment for HIV positive individuals is continuing under lockdown. This ensures support & care for newly diagnosed HIV individuals. Furthermore, effective treatment results in an undetectable viral load, meaning that the virus cannot be passed on.
We are aware that our health care system is under immense pressure with the COVID-19 pandemic, and we fully support the amazing work that they are doing. However, we may never again have such an opportunity to beat an epidemic that started nearly 40 years ago.
Go to this site to check if you are currently eligible for a free home test, and help beat HIV.
386
The Decision Makers
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Petition created on 8 May 2020