THE University of Brighton is working on a national campaign to help eliminate HIV within a generation.

In partnership with clinicians and researchers, the goal will be to improve the nation’s knowledge and understanding of HIV, and by doing so reduce the stigma associated with the virus.

It is hoped this will encourage more people to come forward for testing.

When diagnosed early, highly effective treatment for HIV largely guarantees a good quality of life and an extremely low chance of passing the virus on.

Dr Mary Darking, senior lecturer in the university’s School of Applied Social Science, said the United Nations recently reported that ‘the scales have tipped.’

For the first time, more than half of people living with HIV (53 per cent) have access to treatment, and HIV-related deaths have almost halved since 2005.

She said: “Through intensive effort on the part of communities, clinicians, researchers and policy makers, the scales are tipping in the right direction.

“The consequences of them tipping the other way – of the world moving from a position where we are making progress to one where we are losing ground – are grave and would be borne by generations to come.

“However, if progress continues, there is optimism that we could end HIV in a generation.

“This could be achieved if testing for HIV became something that people were proud of. And they should!

“Because it is by testing we become the generation that ended HIV/AIDS.

“It would mean actively ensuring our knowledge is up-to-date.

“It would mean understanding and not judging.”

The university will be working with clinicians and researchers at the Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust and Dr Jaime Vera at the Brighton and Sussex Medical School.

Funding is being provided by Public Health England.

In addition to helping develop the campaign, the university’s School of Applied Social Science will evaluate its outcomes.