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New Diagnoses National Overview

The national HIV and AIDS new diagnoses and deaths database held at the Health Protection Agency collects demographic and epidemiological information on adults (aged 15 years and older) who are newly diagnosed with HIV within England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Further demographic and epidemiological information on new diagnoses in Scotland are collected from Health Protection Scotland and for paediatric cases from the Institute of Child Health. On a six monthly basis, this information is collated to produce the number of individuals newly diagnosed with HIV in the United Kingdom, providing an understanding of the current epidemic and at risk groups.

New HIV diagnoses tables:

 

New HIV diagnoses graphs:

  • A brief description of the graphs is provided below


If you intend to include any of the following graphs in a presentation or publication please ensure the slides are not modified and that the Health Protection Agency is cited.

 

New HIV and AIDS diagnoses in the UK, and deaths among HIV infected individuals. 2001 - 2010 (PDF, 82 KB)

A total of 6,658 persons (4,510 men and 2,147 women) were diagnosed with HIV in 2010. Since 2003, the number of reported first AIDS diagnoses in infected persons has decreased year on year. In 2010, there were 635 first AIDS diagnoses. The number of deaths among HIV infected persons has remained stable over the past ten years. In 2010 there were 682 deaths among HIV infected persons


New HIV dignoses in the UK by exposure category 2001 - 2010 (PDF, 146 KB)

After adjusting for missing information, an estimated 50% (3,350) of persons newly diagnosed in 2010 acquired their infection heterosexually and 45% (3,000) through sex between men. Whereas numbers of new diagnoses among persons infected heterosexually are declining from a peak of 4,890 in 2004, diagnoses among men who have sex with men (MSM) continue to be reported at a high level.


New HIV diagnoses in the UK by prevention group and estimated world region of infection 2010.pdf (PDF, 73 KB)

In 2010, among newly diagnosed MSM, 81% acquired their infection within the UK and 84% were of white ethnicity. In contrast, the majority of persons infected heterosexually were of black-African ethnicity (61%) and acquired their infection abroad (71%). Amongst those heterosexuals infected abroad, the majority have 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 2010 the estimated number infected in the UK more than doubled (510 to 1,090). New HIV diagnoses among injecting drug users remains low in the UK with an estimated 160 new diagnoses in 2010. Among injecting drug users 44% probably acquired their infection within the UK.


New HIV diagnoses in the UK by area of diagnoses and prevention group 2010 (PDF, 144 KB)

In 2010, the highest number of new HIV diagnoses continued to be reported in London (2,891). The highest number of new HIV diagnoses outside London was in the North West Strategic Health Authority (SHA) followed by the West Midlands SHA. The East of England SHA presented the largest proportion of new HIV diagnoses that were among persons of black-African ethnicity and were acquired heterosexually (43%). Northern Ireland presented the largest proportion of new HIV diagnoses that were among white MSM (65%).


Percentage increase in first HIV diagnoses in the UK by area of diagnosis 2001 - 2010.pdf (PDF, 87 KB)

Northern Ireland followed by the North East and Wales presented the largest proportional increases in new diagnoses between 2001 and 2010. West Midlands(235) present the largest numerical increase. Numbers of new diagnoses in 2010 are likely to rise as further reports are received and therefore proportional increases presented are likely to be underestimated.


 


Last reviewed: 28 November 2011