1 in 5 HIV+ people in UK harassed
December 1st, 2009
One in five people with HIV in the UK have been assaulted, harassed or threatened in the past year, according to a new study released on World AIDS Day.
The two-year study funded by the Department for International Development and the International Planned Parenthood Federation found that 21% of people living with HIV had been verbally assaulted or harassed in the last 12 months. 12% had been physically harassed because of their HIV status.
The People Living With HIV Stigma Index highlight concerns that stigma and discrimination also exists within the NHS. 17% of people with HIV surveyed report being denied health services because of their HIV status at least once in the previous 12 months. One in 5 people said they knew that their medical records were not being kept confidential.
Musician Annie Lennox leant her support to the campaign, officially launching The People Living with HIV stigma Index. “This initiative will become a significant tool to inform not only those who are personally or professionally involved with the challenges of HIV, but it will hopefully also help to influence change,” said Lennox.
“Stigma and discrimination still remain prevalent, and continue to be a massive obstacle, this will be a hugely significant first step.”
There are currently 83,000 people living with HIV in the UK, an all-time high and an 8% increase on the figure for 2008.
Globally, about 33 million people are thought to have HIV and nearly 3 million people are newly infected every year.
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