To mark World AIDS Day on December 1, 2024, the Ministry of Health and Access to Healthcare and Santé publique France are relaunching the campaign on combined prevention titled “Everyone has questions about sexuality.” Santé publique France is also publishing a thematic BEH report focusing on certain measures designed to strengthen the fight against HIV.

3,650 people infected with HIV in 2023 in France

In its latest national bulletin, “Surveillance of HIV and Bacterial STIs in France in 2023,” Santé publique France estimated the incidence of HIV in France at 3,650 people infected with HIV in 2023. The total number of people infected each year thus decreased over the 2012–2021 period, primarily due to a decline among men who have sex with men (MSM) born in France, and then stabilized. Conversely, this decline is not observed among all individuals and the populations most at risk for HIV.

The number of people who learned of their HIV-positive status in 2023 was estimated at nearly 5,500. Half of these individuals were infected more than two years prior.

Early Detection for Appropriate Care

The number of people living with HIV without a diagnosis is estimated at 10,756. However, despite a growing number of tests over the past several years—reaching a peak in 2023 with nearly 7.5 million serological tests performed—43% of HIV infections were detected at a late stage of the infection1. Yet an early diagnosis allows for the use of antiviral treatments, whose preventive effect enables people to live in good health, without developing AIDS and without the risk of transmitting the virus.

Screening is a key focus of the government’s efforts to improve sexual health for everyone. Since January 2022, the VIHTest program has been implemented in all medical laboratories. This new screening service, available without a prescription and fully covered by insurance, is a fundamental step toward improving access in France, complementing the services offered by the free information, screening, and diagnosis centers (CeGIDD), rapid diagnostic tests (TROD), and laboratory screenings by prescription. In 2023, during the second year of VIHTest’s rollout, the number of these tests tripled compared to 2022. Against the backdrop of a steady overall increase in HIV testing activity, VIHTest accounted for 15% of reimbursed tests in 2023 and reached more men and more people aged 40 to 59 than all reimbursed tests combined.

Furthermore, since September 1, 2024, thanks to MonTestIST, it is now possible to access prescription-free testing at medical laboratories for hepatitis B, syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia. This screening is covered 100% for people under 26 and 60% for others. This new offering enhances access to screening to combat the rise in these infections.

Finally, while screening remains one of the essential pillars of HIV and other STI prevention, it complements other measures promoting combined prevention, particularly those regarding the availability of condoms in pharmacies. Since January 1, 2023, condoms have been available without a prescription and are fully covered for all young people under 26.

A campaign focused on combined HIV and STI prevention

From November 25 to December 15, Santé publique France is relaunching the campaign “Everyone has questions about sexuality,” which focuses specifically on STIs and HIV. The campaign aims to inform people about the diversity and complementary nature of protection and screening tools (condoms, PrEP, TPE, TasP, STI vaccination, screening) and to encourage their use.

To support healthcare professionals and other frontline workers in their practice, Santé publique France is providing various tools that can be downloaded or ordered.