New Diagnoses National Overview
New HIV diagnoses tables:
- National tables:
hivsti HIVND National Tables 2008 Qtr 2.pdf (PDF, 94 KB)
New HIV diagnoses graphs:
hivsti_ND_HIV_National_Data_20082.ppt (PowerPoint Presentation, 250 KB)
Suggested citation for reproduction of these graphs: New HIV Diagnoses, Centre for Infections, Health Protection Agency: 2008.
Figure 1. First HIV and AIDS diagnoses in the UK, and deaths among HIV infected individuals: 1999 - 2008
Figure 2. First HIV diagnoses in the UK by exposure category: 1999 - 2008
Figure 4. First HIV diagnoses in the UK by area of diagnoses and prevention group: 2008
Figure 5. Percentage increase in first HIV diagnoses in the UK by area of diagnosis: 1999 to 2008
Figure 1. New HIV and AIDS diagnoses in the UK, and deaths among HIV infected individuals: 1999 - 2008
In 2008, an estimated 7370 persons were newly diagnosed with HIV in the United Kingdom, of whom 4670 were men and 2700 women (figures adjusted for reporting delay). This equates to a rate of 16 new diagnoses per 100,000 men and nine per 100,000 women. Since 2003 (1024) the number of reported first AIDS diagnoses in infected persons has decreased year on year. In 2008, there were 529 first AIDS diagnoses. The number of deaths among HIV infected persons has remained stable over the past ten years. In 2008 there were 484 deaths among HIV infected persons. Both the number of first AIDS diagnoses and deaths are likely to rise as further reports are received.
Figure 2. New HIV diagnoses in the UK by exposure category: 1999 - 2008
Of the estimated 7370 persons newly diagnosed with HIV in the UK in 2008, 57% (4200) acquired their infection heterosexually and 38% (2830) were men who have sex with men (MSM). Whereas numbers of newly diagnosed persons infected heterosexually are declining from a peak of 5000 in 2004, numbers among MSM continue at a high level.
Figure 3. New HIV diagnoses in the UK by prevention group and estimated world region of infection: 2008
In 2008, 83% of MSM acquired their infection within the UK and 86% were of white ethnicity. In contrast, the majority of persons infected heterosexually are of black-African ethnicity and acquire their infection abroad. In 2008, an estimated 66% of newly diagnosed persons infected heterosexually were of black-African ethnicity, and 74% acquired their infection abroad (among whom 84% acquired their infection in sub-Saharan Africa). It is important to note that although the majority of newly diagnosed persons infected heterosexually still acquire their infection abroad, between 2002 and 2008 the estimated number infected in the UK increased by 118%. Among injecting drug users 62% acquired their infection within the UK.
Figure 4. New HIV diagnoses in the UK by area of diagnoses and prevention group: 2008
In 2008, the highest number of new HIV diagnoses continued to be reported in London. The highest number of new HIV diagnoses outside London was in the East of England Strategic Health Authority (SHA) followed by the South East Coast SHA. East of England SHA presented the largest proportion of new HIV diagnoses that were among persons of black-African ethnicity and were acquired heterosexually (55%). North West SHA presented the largest proportion of new HIV diagnoses that were among white MSM (46%).
Figure 5. Percentage increase in New HIV diagnoses in the UK by area of diagnosis: 1999 to 2008
Northern Ireland, followed by East of England and Yorkshire and the Humber SHAs presented the largest proportional increases in new HIV diagnoses between 1999 and 2008. London continues to present the largest numerical increase. Numbers of new HIV diagnoses in 2008 are likely to rise as further reports are received and therefore proportional increases presented are likely to be underestimates.
Last reviewed: 26 March 2009