ViiV Healthcare Launches 'Risk to Reasons' Initiative to Empower Women in HIV Prevention

Strategic Insights -

In a concerted effort to address the pressing need for inclusive HIV prevention approaches, ViiV Healthcare has launched the 'Risk to Reasons' initiative in the UK. This national initiative aims to educate women and healthcare professionals about the available HIV prevention options, challenge stigmatizing language, and promote open and honest conversations about sexual health. Developed in collaboration with a working group of women with lived experiences, community leaders, clinicians, and experts, the initiative seeks to increase awareness, knowledge, and participation in HIV prevention among women.

Key Takeaways:

  • The 'Risk to Reasons' initiative has been launched in the UK, building on its success in the US, with the aim of empowering women to take control of their HIV prevention choices.
  • The initiative focuses on reframing HIV conversations, moving beyond stigma and 'risk' to help women make informed decisions about prevention options.
  • Developed with a working group of women with lived experiences, community leaders, clinicians, and experts, the initiative includes educational resources for healthcare professionals and women.
  • The initiative aims to increase awareness of HIV prevention options among women, reduce stigma in clinical and community settings, and encourage open-minded, non-judgemental conversations about sexual health.
  • ViiV Healthcare, a company 100% dedicated to HIV, is uniquely positioned to understand the diverse needs of women living with HIV.
  • The initiative highlights the UK Government's ambitious goal of eliminating new HIV transmissions by 2030 and ViiV's commitment to supporting this goal.

Statistics:

  • Around 24% of people who are more likely to acquire HIV need better access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), which includes heterosexual women who are less likely to be recognized as people who require HIV prevention compared to gay and bisexual men[3].
  • Women make up around a third of people living with HIV in the UK[3].
  • The number of new HIV diagnoses among women in the UK has declined slightly, but more needs to be done to meet the UK government's goal of eliminating new HIV transmissions by 2030[2].

Sources:

  • [1]. UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). HIV testing, PrEP, new HIV diagnoses and care outcomes for people accessing HIV services: 2025 report. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/hiv-annual-data-tables/hiv-testing-prep-new-hiv-diagnoses-and-care-outcomes-for-people-accessing-hiv-services-2025-report Last accessed: October 2025.
  • [2]. Public Health England. HIV in the United Kingdom: Towards Zero HIV transmissions by 2030. 2019 report. Available at: HIV in the UK: Towards Zero HIV transmissions by 2030 Last accessed: October 2025
  • [3]. UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). HIV testing, PrEP, new HIV diagnoses and care outcomes for people accessing HIV services: 2025 report. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/hiv-annual-data-tables/hiv-testing-prep-new-hiv-diagnoses-and-care-outcomes-for-people-accessing-hiv-services-2025-report Last accessed: October 2025.