A press release from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has reported a significant rise in HIV cases in England for 2023, largely driven by diagnoses originating abroad.
- New HIV cases in 2023 hit 6,008 — a 15-year high — with 53% of these diagnoses first diagnosed outside the UK.
- 72% of individuals diagnosed abroad report Africa as their region of birth with Black Africans accounting for 38% of all cases in England.
Background: According to HIV.gov, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a virus that targets and weakens the body’s immune system by attacking the cells responsible for fighting infections.
- HIV commonly spreads via sexual contact and also through the sharing of drug needles.
- Homosexual men face extreme risk as “anal sex is the highest-risk sexual activity for HIV transmission.”
- Without treatment, the infection will develop into AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome).
Why it matters: The rise in foreign-diagnosed HIV cases comes after net migration to the UK reached a record high of 685,000 in 2022, fueling widespread discontent with both the previous Conservative government and the current Labour administration.
- Anti-migrant protests broke out across England over the summer after a knife attack left three young White girls dead and scores injured.
- While many White protestors were prosecuted for petty speech crimes made on social media, physical crimes committed by non-Whites during the riots were largely ignored.
