Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) has congratulated Brighton and Hove’s newly-elected MPs, saying they have a prime opportunity to raise awareness of HIV in Parliament, in the most affected area for HIV in the UK outside of London.
FIGURES show 1,487 people are living with diagnosed HIV in Brighton and Hove. The rate of diagnosed HIV in the city is seven per 1,000 people, compared with a UK rate of two per cent.
Dr Rosemary Gillespie, Chief Executive at Terrence Higgins Trust, said: “People living with HIV need strong champions in Parliament and we hope the newly elected MPs for Brighton and Hove will continue to keep HIV prevention, treatment and support at the top of the political agenda.
“We look forward to working with them closely on upcoming issues such as funding for prevention and new innovations including PrEP.”
Ms Lucas, Green MP for Brighton Pavilion and Mr Kirby, Conservative MP for Brighton Kemptown, have previously attended events in Brighton and Hove to mark World AIDS Day. The pair have also undertaken public HIV tests as part of National HIV Testing Week.
In Parliament Mr Kirby sat as Vice-Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for HIV and AIDS. Ms Lucas also tabled Private Members’ Bills calling for inclusive sex and relationships education in all schools.
The newly elected Labour MP for Hove, Peter Kyle, last month attended an election hustings event at Terrence Higgins Trust’s centre on Ship Street, Brighton, along with the re-elected Mr Kirby.
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