This week I’m supporting the Terence Higgins Trust’s Give HIV the Finger campaign to raise awareness about testing and treatment for HIV. Medical science has made so much progress when it comes to treating and testing for HIV but there is still a lot of work to be done. 

They estimate there are about 6,000 people in the UK currently living undiagnosed with HIV. About 1,000 of them reside in Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham. That makes it very important for people to get tested locally and understand that with PrEP treatment, HIV can be effectively suppressed. 

Pre-existing health inequalities make it especially important for Black women to be tested. With HIV stigma in our communities meaning far too many refuse or simply aren’t offered tests, I’ve also written an article on my recent screening to try and encourage more people to do the same.

I’ve also tabled two EDMs in Parliament, celebrating National HIV Testing Week and calling on the Government to address the issue of PrEP access for the Black community. 

You can read my article here: https://www.voice-online.co.uk/lifestyle/sponsored-lifestyle/2021/02/04/stuck-at-home-test-for-hiv/