Scientists back HIV screening

Offering routine HIV tests to people when they register with a GP in high-risk areas is cost-effective and could save lives, a study has shown.

The researchers are calling for HIV screening to be rolled out to all 74 local authorities in England with high rates of infection by the virus.

Dr Werner Leber, from Queen Mary University of London, who led the study said: “We’ve shown that HIV screening in UK primary care is cost- effective and potentially cost-saving, which is contrary to widespread belief.”

High HIV prevalence is defined as having more than two diagnosed infections per 1,000 adults.