Test often and treat early to prevent HIV

New South Wales Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant today released the NSW HIV Strategy 2021-2025, which aims to achieve the virtual elimination of HIV transmission in NSW.

NSW is a world leader in responding to HIV. The Strategy builds on the success of its predecessor, which saw substantial improvements in HIV prevention, testing and treatment in NSW.

In 2020, 206 NSW residents were diagnosed with HIV, a decrease of 33 per cent compared to the average for the last five years. Only 31 per cent of these new diagnoses had evidence that their infection occurred in the preceding 12 months, a decrease of 47 per cent relative to the last five years.

This large decline in diagnoses, particularly for early stage infections, suggests HIV transmission decreased in 2020. This large decline is also driven by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, including restricted movement, altered health-seeking behaviour, lower levels of casual sex activity, as well as altered service provision and access.

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