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Our vision

The Sexual Health and HIV All East Research (SHARE) Collaborative is investigating the inequalities that lead to poor sexual health and HIV.

SHARE’s vision is a world where everyone – no matter who you are or where you live – can enjoy excellent sexual health, where new HIV infections are eliminated and in which people with HIV live long and live well.

Our research is taking place during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has compounded health inequalities. We also hope to provide valuable insights for other medical conditions.

Collaborative approach

Established in the heart of East London’s diverse community, the SHARE Collaborative is embedded within one of the largest NHS Sexual Health and HIV services and is supported by a multidisciplinary university of international standing.

SHARE brings together the expertise of Barts Health NHS Trust, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry and Queen Mary University of London.

In partnership with our local community and in collaboration with the wider health and care economy, SHARE aims to deliver high-quality research that drives health equity and ensures no one is left behind.

By building a centre of research excellence based on lived experience of HIV within the diverse and frequently marginalised communities in the East End of London, we aim to improve HIV and sexual health outcomes and reduce health inequalities. Our learnings are particularly relevant to the COVID-19 pandemic and we hope to apply them to improve health outcomes for those affected by COVID-19.

Professor Chloe Orkin, Director, SHARE Collaborative

Early diagnosis

HIV was a universally fatal infection in the early 1980s but advances in treatment have transformed it into a potentially manageable long-term condition.

For people living with HIV who are diagnosed early and who have lifelong access to effective antiretroviral therapy (ART), life expectancy is now similar to that of the general population.

Early diagnosis of HIV remains crucial in order to meet the Global AIDS Strategy target to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 and to achieve London’s goal of being the first city in the world to achieve zero new HIV infections, zero preventable deaths and zero stigma within the same timeframe.

HIV was a universally fatal infection in the early 1980s but advances in treatment have transformed it into a potentially manageable long-term condition.

For people living with HIV who are diagnosed early and who have lifelong access to effective antiretroviral therapy (ART), life expectancy is now similar to that of the general population.

Early diagnosis of HIV remains crucial in order to meet the Global AIDS Strategy target to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 and to achieve London’s goal of being the first city in the world to achieve zero new HIV infections, zero preventable deaths and zero stigma within the same timeframe.

Barriers to care

Much of the burden of the HIV epidemic falls on marginalised and racially minoritised communities who face multiple health inequalities. The COVID-19 pandemic has further compounded these inequalities.

In addition, the stigma associated with HIV often prevents people from getting tested, diagnosed and treated.

Women and people from racially minoritised backgrounds are more likely to be diagnosed late. For people who remain undiagnosed and untreated, health outcomes will be poor and HIV may be transmitted to others.

Much of the burden of the HIV epidemic falls on marginalised and racially minoritised communities who face multiple health inequalities. The COVID-19 pandemic has further compounded these inequalities.

In addition, the stigma associated with HIV often prevents people from getting tested, diagnosed and treated.

Women and people from racially minoritised backgrounds are more likely to be diagnosed late. For people who remain undiagnosed and untreated, health outcomes will be poor and HIV may be transmitted to others.

East London has UK’s largest cohort of HIV 2

Challenges in the East End

Barts Health NHS Trust is the regional hub for HIV for North East London and has a clinical centre that delivers care to around 6,000 people living with HIV. There are particular challenges in the racially diverse and socio-economically deprived East End communities that are served by Barts Health. These include:

High infection rate
Some of the highest rates of HIV infection and worst HIV outcomes in the UK are found in the boroughs of Waltham Forest, Newham and Tower Hamlets.

Low engagement
The disparities in health outcomes are largely due to late diagnosis of HIV, weak engagement with healthcare and the effects of other health conditions (co-morbidities).

There are particular challenges in the racially diverse and socio-economically deprived East End communities that are served by Barts Health. These include:

High infection rate
Some of the highest rates of HIV infection and worst HIV outcomes in the UK are found in the boroughs of Waltham Forest, Newham and Tower Hamlets.

Low engagement
The disparities in health outcomes are largely due to late diagnosis of HIV, weak engagement with healthcare and the effects of other health conditions (co-morbidities).

Our objectives

One

Extend the scope of our existing research to include novel therapeutics (new long-acting HIV drugs) and basic science research alongside data on other coexisting clinical conditions.

Two

Reduce health inequalities through the SHARE research – this includes working closely with people who use the clinical services at Whipps Cross Hospital and Newham Hospital where HIV outcomes are particularly poor.

Three

Develop health interventions that are co-produced with the wider community (through a community advisory board) and tailored for the specific needs of local people who are living with HIV.