Advancing awareness: Canadian Positive People Network’s U=U Task Force and the fight against HIV stigma
At the Canadian Positive People Network (CPPN), we strive to end HIV stigma. We also recognize that people living with HIV provide the movement’s strongest guiding voices. That’s why our U=U Task Force is led by people living with HIV and is dedicated to sharing one of the most groundbreaking messages in public health: Undetectable = Untransmittable. U=U means that when a person living with HIV is on effective treatment and has an undetectable viral load, they cannot transmit the virus to their sexual partners. It’s a message that transforms lives, dismantles stigma and redefines what it means to live with HIV today.
Recently, in partnership with the market research and public opinion consulting firm Ipsos, we uncovered striking new insights that underscore just how urgently enhanced awareness and education about U=U is needed across Canada. The findings have reignited our determination to keep pushing forward with the U=U message, offering hope, empowerment and the key to ending HIV stigma.
Understanding the impact
The results from our national poll reveal a concerning reality: while 86% of Canadians know about HIV, only 20% are aware of U=U. This means millions of Canadians remain uninformed about one of the most transformative breakthroughs in HIV science. Furthermore, less than 50% of those familiar with U=U understand the scientific evidence supporting it. These figures highlight the urgent need for widespread education to dispel misconceptions surrounding transmission. Notably, 66% of respondents believe that increased awareness of U=U could positively influence public perceptions and help alleviate the stigma associated with HIV.
An urgent call for action
We stand at a crucial moment. Nearly 91% of survey participants recognize the importance of including the U=U message in secondary sexual education programs, with 61% labeling it as extremely important. By prioritizing this message in educational curricula, we can raise a generation that not only understands HIV but also the realities of living with the virus today.
Conversations about U=U are still limited within healthcare settings; only about 10% of respondents reported discussing U=U with their healthcare providers. This underscores the need to empower healthcare professionals with the necessary information to facilitate these essential discussions. When providers discuss U=U with their patients, they foster trust, reduce fear and build confidence, as well as increase treatment adherence.
The role of funders and community-based organizations
To effectively tackle these challenges, we invite our funders and partner organizations within the HIV sector to stand with us in advocating for a national public awareness campaign dedicated to promoting the U=U message. Such a campaign would not only enhance public education but also actively work to reduce the stigma surrounding HIV, which significantly impacts public health by creating barriers to testing and treatment.
Community-based organizations are pivotal in bridging the gap between knowledge and action. It is essential that they receive the support needed to lead local initiatives that foster understanding and acceptance.
Let’s act together
The way ahead is clear. Our findings highlight an urgent need to shift understanding and acceptance of HIV by amplifying the power of U=U. It is time to act decisively – to prioritize U=U education in schools, engage healthcare providers and launch a national public awareness campaign that resonates with all Canadians.
Let’s transform awareness into action. Together, we can create an informed society where people living with HIV can thrive free from the burden of stigma and empowered by the knowledge of U=U. We invite all Canadians to share this message, support local initiatives and ensure every community embraces the life-changing power of U=U. A healthier future begins with knowledge and understanding.
Breklyn Bertozzi is the executive director of the Canadian AIDS Society and was the executive director of the Canadian Positive People Network until 2025.