About the Book
This moving book examines the HIV epidemic in the UK through the lives of a range of individuals who worked tirelessly, but often quietly, to make a difference to those living and dying with HIV.
From LGBTQ+ activists to healthcare researchers, from charity volunteers to writers and campaigners, the book shines a spotlight on a range of people who played crucial but unsung roles. From the first recorded death in 1981 through to the present day, these compelling stories illustrate the trajectory of the epidemic. Some were involved in the early stages when stigma and discrimination compounded the lack of treatment; others have helped to reach a place where although HIV is still with us, it is no longer the existential threat it once was.
Combining the personal narratives with an overarching historical context, his book will be of interest to social historians and medical sociologists, as well as professionals working in services dealing with HIV.
Table of Contents:
0.Introduction. 1.A Brief History of HIV/AIDS in the UK. 2.LGBTQ+ Activists and Campaigners. 3.HIV Beyond Misconceptions: Shared Struggles, Diverse Voices. 4.Healthcare Workers and Researchers. 5.HIV Charity Workers. 6.Documenting and Writing About the HIV Epidemic. 7.Reflections.
About the Author :
Jose Catalan is psychiatrist and academic who has held academic posts at Oxford University and Imperial College London, and worked as NHS consultant psychiatrist at Central North West London NHS Foundation Trust. His area of interest is the relationship between physical disorders and mental health problems, including the consequences of HIV. In addition to clinical work, he has published extensively in scientific journals and books. In May 2025, he was given a Lifetime Achievement Award at the AIDS Impact Conference for his work in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Review :
"Dr Catalan has brilliantly shone a light on a vital group of people, many of whom are unacknowledged or have stayed in the shadows, who individually and collectively helped us navigate one of the most devastating health issues of the late 20th century. In this book, he preserves the stories of resilience and courage that have driven progress in combating stigma, improving access to treatments, and advancing research. It is a powerful reminder of the impact collective action can have on shaping public health and human rights, and an invaluable resource for future generations committed to continuing the fight." — Paul Glynn, Psychotherapist and Manager who used to run the West London Centre for Counselling and later worked at the London School of Economics as Senior Consultant/Therapist
"An impressive collection of interviews in a book which honours the many people who researched, treated, supported, and advocated on behalf of those infected and affected by a new and frightening illness." — Anne Chiswick, former Nurse Practitioner, Regional Infectious Diseases Unit, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh
"This book is fascinating resource for understanding the past and present of HIV activism in the UK. It illuminates the tireless efforts of activists, professionals and researchers who have shaped our response and understanding of the epidemic. As we enter a new age of HIV, this book provides invaluable insight into the human stories behind public health." — Jaime Garcia-Iglesias, Chancellor’s Fellow, Centre for Biomedicine, Self and Society, University of Edinburgh.
"Jose Catalan has done an essential piece of work. This book profiles so many key people in the response to HIV in the UK, including those whose stories have not been told before. Catalan’s book is a significant contribution to how we understand and address HIV in the round. It will be an essential resource for decades to come." — Adam Zmith, author of ‘Deep Sniff: a history of poppers’ and ‘Queer Future’, Writer and Producer of The Log Books podcast.
"This book presents a compelling and well researched exploration of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the UK, it captures the transition from confusion and stigma to more organised community and official efforts, and it balances factual detail with personal story telling, enriching the discourse on HIV activism in the UK, the section titled ‘Is there life after HIV?’, presents a reflective and profound conclusion, sensitively addressing the complexities of achievement, loss, and shifting identities. It also serves as a moving tribute to those that didn’t survive the epidemic, infusing their work with emotional engagement and intellectual weight." — David Munns, Clinical Nurse Specialist Mental Helat HIV, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London.
"Fifty-two community and medical activists talk about their motivation for responding to the unfolding of the HIV crisis in the UK. Their engagement often lasted decades and was often from a focus that was never in the public eye. The collected interviews are connected by similar themes but are rooted in generating a human response to counter the fear and hatred from mainstream media. Pepe Catalan carefully connects the motivations of each contributor through his own personal and professional experiences from developing and leading the mental health service at Europe’s largest HIV hospital. He brings compelling insight into how these protagonists helped shape the HIV response in the UK." — Simon Collins, i-Base, London.
"Drawing on the testimonies of activists, researchers, and policy makers, Jose Catalan highlights the critical importance of ethical practice in addressing collective challenge. It would be highly valuable to have comparable accounts from other countries, such as Spain, to illustrate how similar objectives were achieved under different health care conditions." — Dr Jose Salazar, former Director of HIV Services in the Valencia district, Spain.
"A groundbreaking and timely contribution that documents a radical time of political, social, and cultural transformation in the UK. It is a remarkable and accessible book that deserves to be widely read, particularly by those who have forgotten, or never heard, these important stories. This book keeps our collective memory alive. Be prepared to be inspired." — Dr Fernando Lanza Zamanillo, Birkbeck, University of London.
