Since our creation in 1982, Terry Higgins’ partner and friends have set us the task to ‘stop people going through what they did’. Now we try to make a step change in that mission: no new cases by 2030.
The Ending the HIV Epidemic: Strategy 2025-2030 sets out our plan to achieve the UK-wide goal of zero new HIV cases by 2030. Our vision is a future where HIV does not hold anyone back, where all people living with HIV are diagnosed, in treatment, supported, and free from stigma.
Our key aims:
- End new HIV cases by 2030
- Support people living with HIV to live well
- Eradicate HIV-related stigma.
How we will do it
Ending new cases of HIV in the UK requires early diagnosis, treatment, and lifelong care to protect health and prevent transmission. We must leave no one behind.
We must:
1. Find those with undiagnosed HIV
Encourage people to test for HIV in ways that work for them, including testing in NHS settings, and focus innovations on reaching people with undiagnosed HIV using healthcare.
2. Support those newly diagnosed with HIV
Provide the UK’s leading support programme for newly diagnosed individuals, helping them understand their diagnosis, access care, and support their journey with a choice of services to best suit their individual needs.
3. Support those new to the UK with HIV
Offer guidance, peer support, and networks to help people new to the UK access HIV healthcare, stay well and overcome HIV stigma.
4. Re-engage those who have fallen out of HIV care or are at risk of becoming lost to HIV care
Develop targeted strategies to reconnect people with healthcare services and ensure they remain in treatment.
5. Support people as they age with HIV
Ensure older people living with HIV receive appropriate healthcare, social support, and advocacy – especially those with years of untreated HIV or who had access to early drugs and medical care.
6. Tackle HIV stigma and discrimination
Lead initiatives to end HIV stigma, particularly in personal relationships, healthcare settings and the workplace.
Ending new cases together
While all the tools to end new HIV cases by 2030 are available, the UK is not on track to meet the goal. We still can be. We need to expand HIV testing, widen PrEP access, improve care and people’s retention in it, and tackle stigma.
As the leading HIV organisation delivering support and inspiring change, we are committed to taking the country to the end of the epidemic.
What we will do
- Redevelop our HIV testing programme, promote wider HIV testing, encourage innovations in testing.
- Provide tailored support for people living with HIV in the UK, including those new to the country, helping them access the most appropriate care and overcome stigma.
- Re-engage those who have fallen out of care, preventing avoidable illness and onward transmission.
- Lead national campaigns to tackle HIV stigma and discrimination.
What you can do
- Get tested for HIV and encourage others to do the same.
- Challenge HIV stigma by sharing accurate information and supporting people living with HIV.
- Call for better knowledge of HIV across healthcare and fair treatment for people living with HIV.
- Volunteer to support people to live well with HIV and advocate to improve HIV services and policies.
- Donate to support our work, programmes and people living with HIV.
What the government must do
- Invest in universal, accessible HIV testing, including opt-out testing in a wide range of healthcare settings and enable everyone to test at home.
- Expand access to PrEP beyond sexual health clinics, making it available online and in pharmacies.
- Ensure sustainable funding for HIV support services, including mental health, peer support, and social care.
- Remove the remaining discriminatory laws and practices and ensure that workplaces and organisations don’t discriminate against people living with HIV.
- Tackle HIV stigma through national public health campaigns and workplace education.
- Address broader inequalities that affect people living with, or impacted by, HIV, including housing, immigration, and poverty.
Our approach to ending new cases of HIV in the UK is guided by lived experience, bold ambition, and collaboration with governments, partners, and communities. We will be guided by equity and address health inequalities affecting people at greatest risk (e.g., gay and bisexual men, Black African communities, women, migrants, and young people born with HIV).
Beyond ending new cases of HIV
Even if zero transmissions are achieved, over 106,000 people in the UK will still live with HIV. Terrence Higgins Trust was the first HIV charity in the UK and intends to be the last, supporting people living with HIV as long as they want and need us. We commit to providing lifelong support, addressing stigma, and ensuring resilience in prevention and care systems.
