HIV in the East of England

There are more people living with HIV in the East of England than ever before.  In 2009 there were an estimated 5,000 people living with HIV in the region. 26% of these people were undiagnosed. There were 418 new HIV diagnoses recorded in 2009 in the East of England.  This figure represents a 10% reduction on the 466 reported in 2008 and a decrease of 25% on the 558 cases reported in the peak year of 2005.  However, annual HIV diagnoses have increased by 118% since 2000 (192/418).

Of the 418 new cases in 2009, 202 were men and 216 were women.

286 people acquired their infection through heterosexual sex. 105 (37%) of these people became infected in the UK and at least 123 (43%) became infected in Africa.

At least 87 infections were acquired through sex between men. 67 of these people (77%) acquired their infection in the UK.

There were 78 new diagnoses made in the over 50s age range. 19% of the total number of new diagnoses.  The majority of new diagnoses (255/ 61%) occurred in the 24-44 age range.

There were 4,192 people accessing HIV Care in East of England in 2009. This represents a 6% increase on the 3,940 people recorded in 2008 and a 73% increase on the 2,421 recorded in 2004.  The East of England had the largest proportional increase in England in the number of residents accessing HIV care over the last decade (551%; from 761 in 2000).  Of the 4,192 people accessing HIV care in 2009, 1,075 were gay men (25%) 785 people (19%) accessing care in 2009 were aged over 50. This represents an increase of 485% on the 134 people over 50 receiving care in 2000.

*These figures may be subject to change as more information on routes of transmission becomes available