UK governments urged to meet needs of young people living with HIV
Young people living with HIV face barriers to care, with a report from the National AIDS Trust calling for UK government action
Last updated 3rd Mar 2026
A new report from the National AIDS Trust, the UK's HIV rights charity, is highlighting systemic challenges faced by young people living with HIV - and is calling calls for UK governments to address these issues urgently.
The report, titled "Supporting the Next Generation: improving the quality of life of young adults living with HIV," has been released today (March 3) alongside a toolkit designed to help young people living with HIV understand their rights under the law.
The report presents the voices of young people discussing the distinct challenges they face, such as lower life satisfaction, and increased mental health needs. It reveals that 44% of young people living with HIV aged 18 to 34 have a diagnosed mental health condition.
These young individuals also face greater barriers to accessing care and report the lowest satisfaction with their HIV care compared to older age groups.
In response, the report outlines urgent priorities, including sustainable funding and expansion of youth-friendly clinics and support services focusing on both mental and physical wellbeing.
It also calls for increased knowledge across the NHS, voluntary sector organizations, workplace, and education settings to combat HIV stigma and discrimination.
The report encourages government investment in programs to support young people's economic needs, such as housing, employment, education, and financial stability.
The National AIDS Trust emphasizes the importance of co-developing research and policy solutions with young people to establish effective support services and performance indicators.
Young people living with HIV have shared their experiences. One said, “Young people living with HIV are expected to educate their GP and they shouldn’t have to and GPs ask potentially intrusive questions.”
Another recounted, “A friend had their HIV status shared across the room by the nurse.”
A young individual reflected, “I would’ve assumed that my GP knew about my HIV until I was told recently they aren’t automatically given that information.”
Oluwakemi Agunbiade, Senior Research & Policy Officer at the National AIDS Trust, said: "The progress that has been made in HIV policy has always relied on people understanding and fighting for their rights. Whilst we work to address the systemic barriers that leave young people living with HIV vulnerable, we will also strive to equip young people with knowledge of their rights to challenge HIV stigma and discrimination."
She added, "By publishing this briefing to help build a better future for young people living with HIV, and a toolkit for young people to apply their rights, we are taking steps to help platform young voices in the HIV community."
UK governments have committed to ending new HIV transmissions by 2030, which requires ensuring young adults living with HIV are supported in living well with the condition.
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “We are supporting all those living with HIV through our HIV Action Plan, backed by £170 million, which reiterated our commitment to ending new transmissions by 2030.
“Our plan will improve access to testing and prevention, and make sure services reach all communities who need them. It will also address stigma by making sure health and care staff receive proper training.
“Our new £5 million HIV Prevention England programme will also raise awareness of HIV and increase targeted testing - with a focus on younger people.”
Information and support
There are some useful toolkits on the National AIDS Trust website.
You can also read about 'growing up with HIV' on the George House Trust webpages.