A new book has been published aimed at enabling people living with HIV to live a good life and reduce HIV stigma.
Co-authors, Professor Michael Evangeli, a Clinical Psychologist from Royal Holloway, Angelina Namiba, who has lived with HIV since the 1990s and Dr Rachael Jones, Consultant Physician in HIV and Genitourinary Medicine at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, wrote the book, Living Well with HIV: A Psychological Social Medical and Personal Guide, which is out on May 1, 2026.
It integrates the latest global research and experiences of people living with HIV (PLWH), so that they and their partners, friends and families can face key HIV challenges with resilience and embrace strategies for living well.
PLWH are at the heart of the book, through personal testimonies from those with lived experience in different global regions, to in the person-centred content.
HIV affects millions of people across the world. With advanced treatment and care, PLWH can live well with the condition until old age.
Challenges remain, however, in achieving a good quality of life regardless of age, income level, sexuality or gender. Managing an HIV diagnosis, learning about the condition, sharing an HIV status, negotiating relationships, families, friendships, treatment and care can all be difficult.
Professor Michael Evangeli, from the Department of Psychology at Royal Holloway, said: “This book is written for all people living with HIV and those who support them.
“We have used personal accounts focussing on the experiences of people living with HIV, at key moments in their journey, including diagnosis, managing challenging periods for psychological and physical health, starting treatment and sharing their status.
“These testimonies also provide first-hand insights into personal strategies for coping with the impact of HIV and the stigma that still exists around the illness.”
Co-author, Angelina Namiba, added: “I wanted to be part of this book to help those who live with HIV and for those supporting a peer. I was diagnosed with HIV in the early 1990s, just six months after my graduation.
“A time we didn't have the very effective treatment we have now and when all that health care providers could do was give palliative care for patients as they waited to die.
“But I was lucky, because several things helped me to cope with my then devastating diagnosis.
“Firstly, I was offered a job in almost the same week I received my diagnosis, which gave me the chance to work and volunteer, which has kept me going to this day.
“Secondly, my attitude. I figured I had only two ways to react to the news. I could either be sad, miserable, stay in blame mode, or make the most of what little life I had left. I chose the latter.
“Then, quite out of the blue, a very good friend of mine told me about her diagnosis. I immediately told her about me, and she then took me to a support group, where I met about five other women living with HIV.
“The amazing peer support I received gave me the hope, and the drive to start volunteering for an HIV charity and to give back.”
The book contains chapters on HIV information, living with HIV, sharing an HIV status, sex and relationships, family and friends, treatment and care, and growing older with HIV.
People-first language is used throughout. The book can be read as a whole or as individual chapters.
The book, published by Taylor and Francis Group, is available as hardback, paperback and an eBook.
