Practice Based Public Health Profile and Strategy on HIV Transmission

Sample Answer

Introduction

Haringey is one of London’s most diverse boroughs and continues to face public health inequalities linked to housing, income, education and access to healthcare. One of the persistent concerns involves HIV transmission among young adults aged 16 to 25 from Black communities. While overall HIV diagnoses in the UK have declined over the past decade due to improved testing and treatment, the reduction has not been equal across all groups. Young people from Black African and Caribbean backgrounds remain disproportionately affected by late diagnosis, limited engagement with services and structural barriers that influence risk and access. This essay develops a practice based public health profile for this population and proposes a practical, community grounded strategy to reduce HIV transmission.

Public Health Profile: Haringey Context

Haringey has a young demographic and one of the largest Black communities in North London. Deprivation levels vary sharply between neighbourhoods, which affects health outcomes. Public Health England reports show that Black communities face higher rates of late HIV diagnosis and lower engagement with routine testing. Young adults often experience additional barriers such as stigma, lack of tailored health information, cultural misunderstanding within services, and limited access to trusted youth friendly care environments.

Health beliefs and awareness influence outcomes. Some young people may underestimate personal risk or rely on misinformation shared through peers or social media. Others may avoid services due to concerns about discrimination or lack of confidentiality. These barriers combine with broader social determinants such as unstable housing, economic stress and education disruption. All these factors shape how young people understand and respond to sexual health risks, including HIV.

Key Factors Contributing to HIV Transmission Risk

Structural determinants

Inequalities in income, education and housing shape exposure to risk and ability to access services. Young adults living in overcrowded or unstable housing may experience disruption that reduces routine healthcare engagement. Education inequalities may limit access to clear and trusted health information. Experiences of racism in wider society can create distrust of formal systems, including healthcare providers.

Service related barriers

Young people often face difficulties in navigating services designed for adults. Some may feel judged, rushed or misunderstood. When services lack representation from diverse cultural backgrounds, this can worsen feelings of discomfort. Concerns about confidentiality and fear of family discovery can also discourage attendance.

Community and cultural factors

Stigma around HIV remains strong in many Black communities. Misconceptions about transmission, fear of judgement and a long history of distrust in medicine affect willingness to test or seek support. Peer influence can be strong for teenagers and young adults, and misinformation can spread quickly when credible alternatives are missing.

Individual factors

Adolescence and early adulthood involve rapid changes in identity, relationships and independence. Young people often balance school, work and family pressures while still learning how to make health decisions. Decision making may be influenced by incomplete knowledge, low confidence or stressful life situations.

Strategy to Reduce HIV Transmission in Haringey

A successful approach must combine community trust, accurate information, accessible services and long term relationship building. Public health work for this population must be collaborative and culturally grounded.

Strengthening community based HIV awareness

Collaborating with local Black led organisations, youth groups, faith groups and cultural centres can create trusted spaces for information sharing. Workshops delivered by trained peer educators and community health advocates can normalise conversations about HIV, correct misinformation and promote voluntary testing. Using simple, clear language and relatable examples increases understanding and reduces fear.

Increasing youth friendly HIV testing access

Testing must be accessible, confidential and stigma free. Mobile testing units, youth clinic pop ups in colleges, and community testing events can help. Providing testing in familiar spaces, with staff trained in culturally sensitive communication, increases uptake. Offering self testing kits through trusted organisations can further support young people who prefer privacy.

Improving cultural competence in services

Local clinics and public health teams should invest in training for staff on anti racism, cultural safety and trauma informed care. Representation matters, so recruitment efforts should support a diverse workforce. Young people report better experiences when they see staff who understand their backgrounds. Clear communication, patience and respect improve trust and encourage return visits.

Digital engagement

Well designed digital campaigns can reach young people effectively. Short videos and posts shared through Instagram, TikTok and community influencers can convey accurate information about HIV, testing and treatment. Digital campaigns must use positive, non shaming messaging and highlight the importance of early testing and care.

School and college partnerships

Educational institutions are central in reaching 16 to 19 year olds. Updated sexual health education can be delivered in partnership with community health teams, focusing on HIV awareness, healthy relationships, stigma reduction and service navigation. Embedding this education in the curriculum increases consistency and reduces the chance of gaps due to stigma or avoidance.