Phoenix Health Movement - Home Page

Challenging health inequalities and empowering communities to take control of their health.

Increased rates of HIV in Black women – Susan Cole interviewed by BBC London News

10 Sep 2025

Black women are at increased risk of HIV in London, according to a new report. Susan Cole was interviewed on behalf of Phoenix Health Movement by Thomas Magill from BBC London News about HIV inequities affecting Black women, including barriers to testing and actions needed now to address it.

Watch the full BBC London TV feature in the window above, also including interviews with Leasuwanna Griffiths who is living with HIV, and Marc Thompson, from the London HIV Prevention Program the report author.

Susan was also interviewed for a BBC News article, stressing that “we need to make sure testing is in places where women go.” The article also includes insights from Marc and Leasuwanna who shares you can live “fabulously with HIV” but knowing your status is important.

Read the full article here ‘Getting HIV changed my life – for the better’

 

News

Positive Health – Episode 5

Positive Health – Episode 5

Co-hosts Susan Cole and Denis Onyango are joined by HIV Consultant & menopause specialist Dr Nneka Nwokolo, and HIV advocate & CEO of Red Ribbon Living Well Husseina Hamza. They will be discussing the pressing issues around HIV affecting Black communities, and...

BBC Radio London – HIV and Black Women Interview

BBC Radio London – HIV and Black Women Interview

Susan Cole was interviewed on BBC London Radio, on behalf of Phoenix Health Movement, about Black women in London being at higher risk of HIV. She highlights that this is linked to “intersecting forms of stigma, discrimination and disadvantage” that Black women...

Positive Health – Episode 4

Positive Health – Episode 4

Co-hosts Susan Cole and Denis Onyango are joined by guests Dr Rageshri Dhairyawan and Rebecca Mbewe to discuss the pressing issues around HIV affecting Black communities. YouTube Shorts from Episode 3More people are needed for HIV researchAdvice to Black women...

Zero Stigma Day

Zero Stigma Day

Zero Stigma Day is a grassroots awareness campaign that mobilises and unites people, organisations, and entire countries across the world to take action against HIV stigma. The campaign was conceived by our Co-Founder Dr Vanessa Apea, as Medical Director of Naz in...

Positive Health – Episode 3

Positive Health – Episode 3

In Episode 3 of Positive Health Co-hosts Susan Cole & Denis Onyango are joined by guests Dr Annabelle Sowemimo and Angelina Namiba to discuss HIV and Black communities. YouTube Shorts from Episode 3Advice to a woman newly diagnosed with HIVAdvice to Black women...

UK AIDS Memorial Quilt at Tate Modern

UK AIDS Memorial Quilt at Tate Modern

Susan Cole attended the launch event of the UK AIDS Memorial Quilt Display at Tate Modern’s Turbine Hall. For the first time in history the entire UK AIDS Memorial Quilt was laid out. The monumental work is a powerful piece of social history, telling the stories of...

BASHH Annual Conference 2025

BASHH Annual Conference 2025

Susan Cole presented at this year’s BASHH Conference in Edinburgh in the session focused on the UKHSA HIV Report and the limitations of healthcare provision to underserved communities. Her presentation focused on community insights on the drivers of the inequities...

Positive Health – Episode 2

Positive Health – Episode 2

Susan Cole and Denis Onyango are joined by HIV and AIDS activist Eliane Becks Nininahazwe, Lead Commissioner London HIV Prevention Programme and HIV community leader Marc Thompson, and Florence Eshalomi MP for Vauxhall and Camberwell Green They discuss HIV and Black...

AIDSImpact 2025

AIDSImpact 2025

Susan Cole delivered the opening presentation of the 16th AIDSImpact Conference in Casablanca. Her presentation highlighted the intersecting forms of discrimination and disadvantage affecting women with HIV globally, sharing community insights on the actions needed to...

International Day of Action for Women’s Health 2025

International Day of Action for Women’s Health 2025

The International Day of Action for Women’s Health 2025 organised by Chelsea and Westminster NHS Foundation Trust in collaboration with CW+, ARC, NHS Hiyos, Hounslow Council and local organisations. The event brought together numerous health experts and lived...

Black Women’s Health Manifesto Collective

Black Women’s Health Manifesto Collective

On Friday 16th May 2025, the Black Women’s Health Manifesto Collective met in London. Co - chaired by Professor Jenny Douglas and Dr Vanessa Apea, key leaders and strategic drivers of the Collective, the meeting brought together healthcare professionals, activists,...

APPG on Black Health Reproductive Equity & Fibroids Meeting

APPG on Black Health Reproductive Equity & Fibroids Meeting

Susan Cole participated in the first parliamentary meeting of the APPG on Black Health, chaired by Paulette Hamilton MP with CAHN as the secretariat, Reproductive Equity & Fibroids was the topic of discussion. Fibroids disproportionately impact women of colour....

Positive Health – Episode 1

Positive Health – Episode 1

Susan Cole and Denis Onyango were joined by phenomenal guests: Dr Vanessa Apea from SHARE Research Collaborative (also Phoenix Health Movement Co-Founder!) and Rev. Jide Macaulay CEO of House of Rainbow & Co-Chair of One Voice Network (OVN). We discussed a wide...

Spring BHIVA 2025

Spring BHIVA 2025

Susan Cole attended the BHIVA Spring Conference 2025. There were many great presentations some are mentioned below. Badru Male from PositiveEast presented on his co-production with faith leaders. He talked about their development of faith-based assets to improve HIV...

15th International Workshop on Women & HIV 2025

15th International Workshop on Women & HIV 2025

On behalf of Phoenix Health Movement and GNP+, Susan Cole spoke the 15th International Workshop on Women & HIV 2025 in Barcelona. For the debate on the proposition “Women living with HIV should receive preventative statin therapy” Susan was paired with healthcare...

Black Women’s SHERO Journeys – International Women’s Day 2025

Black Women’s SHERO Journeys – International Women’s Day 2025

Phoenix Health Movement’s Executive Director Susan Cole presented at this event in Lambeth Town Hall by Africa Advocacy Foundation and Caribbean & African Network. She highlighted the intersecting health inequalities affecting Black women across disease areas,...

Positive Health – Episode 5

Positive Health – Episode 5

Co-hosts Susan Cole and Denis Onyango are joined by HIV Consultant & menopause specialist Dr Nneka Nwokolo, and HIV advocate & CEO of Red Ribbon Living Well Husseina Hamza. They will be discussing the pressing issues around HIV affecting Black communities, and...

BBC Radio London – HIV and Black Women Interview

BBC Radio London – HIV and Black Women Interview

Susan Cole was interviewed on BBC London Radio, on behalf of Phoenix Health Movement, about Black women in London being at higher risk of HIV. She highlights that this is linked to “intersecting forms of stigma, discrimination and disadvantage” that Black women...

Positive Health – Episode 4

Positive Health – Episode 4

Co-hosts Susan Cole and Denis Onyango are joined by guests Dr Rageshri Dhairyawan and Rebecca Mbewe to discuss the pressing issues around HIV affecting Black communities. YouTube Shorts from Episode 3More people are needed for HIV researchAdvice to Black women...