Mar. 21, 2016 by Patrick Strudwick The NHS has scrapped plans to make Truvada available, prompting fury from HIV organisations. HIV charities are shocked and angry over a “shameful” NHS statement released on Monday announcing that the drug that prevents HIV infection will not be made widely available on the NHS. NHS England published a decision on its website on … [Read more...]
STI increases mean ‘more caution is needed’ over oral sex
14th March 2016 By Rick Kelsey / Newsbeat reporter There's a warning not enough is being done to stop the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) through oral sex. Some of the UK's leading sexual health doctors fear people who change partners frequently may not be adequately protecting themselves. The British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) says it's … [Read more...]
A pill that prevents HIV? Here’s what you need to know
10 March 2016 By Natalie Healey PrEP is not yet available on the NHS, but proponents say it could radically reduce new infections After months of research, Greg Owen was excited to begin taking a daily pill which would protect him from HIV. But on the day he was due to start the course, he was told it was too late. He was already HIV positive. The drug which Greg was … [Read more...]
Halving of teenage pregnancy rate since 1998 ‘extraordinary’
9 March 2016 by Sally Weale Conception rates among under-18s in England and Wales at lowest level since records began after falling 6.8% in one year The rate of teenage pregnancy in England and Wales has halved in 16 years, according to official figures, with conception rates among under-18s at their lowest level since records began. The data showing what was described … [Read more...]
The poppers ban: will it criminalise gay users?
7 March 2016 by Frances Perraudin More than 2m bottles of poppers are sold legally every year – and Yorkshire is the centre of the trade. How is one factory preparing for the ban? John Addy is standing next to a hi-tech machine stacked with hundreds of tiny golden bottles. “We’ve always called them aromas,” he says. “Poppers was more a kind of slang word because the … [Read more...]