The latest data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows that there has been a big drop in the number of heterosexual Black men testing for HIV. This is concerning as this might leave some men living with undiagnosed HIV thus missing out on treatment.

50,000 men were tested in 2019 while only 37,000 were tested in 2022, a 27% drop. The COVID-19 pandemic led to a drop in the number of people tested overall but the recovery of testing amongst Black heterosexual men has been poor. Action is required to increase testing to make sure no one misses out on life-saving treatment or is diagnosed late. With National HIV Testing Week around the corner, let’s encourage each other to get tested.

Testing is the only way to know

Testing is the only way to know for sure if you have HIV or not. Knowing matters because if you have HIV you can start treatment, which is free if you live in the UK regardless of your immigration status. Treatment will keep you protected from getting ill because of HIV. Treatment also means you can achieve an undetectable viral load which will mean that you cannot pass on the virus.

This year National HIV Testing Week will be running 5-11 February. Free tests will be available to order across England. People in other parts of the UK can still search for local testing services. In England you can order either a rapid self test kit or a lab test.

The rapid self-test kit enables you to test a single drop of blood from a finger prick for instant results, at home, with no need to post anything. The lab test kit enables you to provide a small blood sample, collected from a finger prick, to be tested at our lab.

If testing at home is not your prefered option you can use the NHS test finder to find a clinic.