National HIV Testing Week

Get ready for National HIV Testing Week 2018

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National HIV Testing Week starts on Saturday 17 November 2018. The purpose of the week is to promote regular testing among the most affected population groups and to reduce the rates of undiagnosed people and those diagnosed late.

In the UK, people are testing more, staying protected by using condoms and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), getting diagnosed and starting HIV treatment earlier. Thanks to this combination approach, the UK is witnessing a substantial decline in HIV diagnoses.

However, too many are still diagnosed late, especially among heterosexual men and women.

National HIV Testing Week puts a national spotlight on HIV testing

This year’s campaign slogan is ‘Give HIV the finger: a finger-prick test is all it takes’, a continuation of last year’s successful creative. While the slogan is focused on the ease of testing, the campaign is an opportunity for partners to promote three key messages:

  • Testing is necessary to diagnose HIV and prevent onward transmission.
  • Testing is easy and accessible in the UK.
  • People can rest assured that, if diagnosed with HIV, they can access free treatment and support.

For full details on how to take part, see the campaign briefings below.

Campaign briefing for Sexual Health Commissioners, Directors of Public Health and other local decision makers [PDF]

Campaign briefing for HIV, Sexual Health and other community-based organisations [PDF]

Campaign briefing for Clinicians [PDF]

Campaign briefing for Faith Leaders and Communities [PDF]

Coming soon

From 17 October 2018, you can order information resources for National HIV Testing Week.

Our social media pack will be available shortly with images and videos for Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Save the date: National HIV Testing Week 2018

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Save the date for NHTW 2018 - Saturday 17 November

It’s less than four months until National HIV Testing Week starts on Saturday 17 November 2018.

The purpose of the week is to promote regular testing among the most affected population groups and to reduce the rates of undiagnosed people and those diagnosed late.

In the UK, the combination prevention approach to HIV means we are witnessing a substantial decline in HIV diagnoses for the first time.

However, the work must not stop here. There was a small increase in late diagnoses between 2015 (39%) and 2016 (42%), which means testing is still as important as ever.

National HIV Testing Week puts a national spotlight on HIV testing

National HIV Testing Week provides amplified opportunities for individuals who would otherwise never test to do so, and prompts all individuals at risk to get tested. Last year:

  • Prince Harry attended the opening of Terrence Higgins Trust’s HIV self-testing Pop-up Shop in Hackney, London, to launch the national campaign at the highest level.
  • On the same day, Public Health England (PHE) released new figures which showed that the drive to increase HIV testing is having an impact, with a 21.8% drop in the number of people who are undiagnosed and do not know that they are living with HIV.
  • More MPs than ever tested for HIV in 2017. We worked in collaboration with Yorkshire MESMAC, The African Institute of Social Development, Staffordshire Buddies, Sunrise Family Support, Trade Sexual Health, LASS, Summit House, The Brigstowe Project and The Brunswick Centre to test 16 MPs all around England.
  • Clinics and community organisations prepared more than 300 additional testing events around the country for people to participate in.

Help make this year’s event a success

Preparations for National HIV Testing Week 2018 are well underway. To keep up to date with the latest news, information and how to get involved, sign up to our newsletter.