A new survey by the Health Protection Agency HPA) indicates that there are a greater number of UK HIV cases than previously thought, with figures pointing towards an increasing pool. The news follows life insurance news from last week that detailed a new ABI (Association of British Insurers) guide to HIV and life insurance .
The HPA says that approximately 83,500 adults in the UK are living with HIV, and perhaps a third of these are unaware of their infection. Apparently, the greater majority of new cases had been affected abroad, with over two-thirds contracting the disease in a country where HIV was more prevalent. A third of these cases were amongst gay or bisexual men .
The HIV expert at the HPA, Dr. Delpech, said: "We are seeing an ever increasing pool of people living with HIV and Aids in the UK. This is due to people living longer with HIV due to advances in treatment, sustained levels of newly acquired infections in gay men, further diagnoses among heterosexuals who acquired their infection in Africa, and cases being picked up earlier. Despite some improvements we are also concerned that many HIV infections are still being diagnosed late, so that life expectancy is reduced as treatment is not begun when required."
The life insurance guide is aimed at gay men, and helps to dispel rumours and myths about life insurance and HIV.




