Europe must stop the rise in HIV/AIDS infection

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 29th Nov 2007

Thousands of new HIV cases are being diagnosed every year in Britain

Speaking ahead of World Aids Day on 1 December 2007, South East Lib Dem MEP, Sharon Bowles, has backed calls for greater public dialogue about the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS, which still infects approximately 7,000 new people in Britain every year.

Sharon Bowles said, "We need to promote greater awareness of HIV and the ways in which the disease is both transmitted and treated, particularly amongst the young. The number of people aged 16 to 24 being treated for HIV in the UK almost trebled between 1995 and 2006."

Approximately 40 million people are currently infected with HIV worldwide, with the highest prevalence rates in developing countries, particularly within Africa. However, infection rates within Europe are also still on the increase. There are an estimated 70,000 people currently living with HIV in the UK alone.

Sharon Bowles added, "European countries, including Britain, need to step up their efforts to educate their populations about the risks posed by HIV and the ways of preventing transmission of the disease. We have an unacceptable situation where thousands of new cases of HIV are still being diagnosed every year.

Encouraging more people to talk about HIV is crucial if we are to reduce prevalence rates and improve the quality of life of those currently living with the disease. Recent advances in antiretroviral medicines have lead many people to believe that the problem of HIV has been solved. It is true that life expectancy is much better, but living with the disease is still a major problem. With infection rates in young people increasing, HIV prevention must be given high priority."