While BC is leading nationally, study shows women are 30% less likely than men to be on treatment and injection drug users are 49% less likely to be on treatment than men who have sex with men
(VANCOUVER, November 30, 2017) A study conducted by the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS (BC-CfE) shows BC is on track to meet the UN 90-90-90 target, designed to accelerate efforts to end the AIDS epidemic. By 2020, 90% of people living with HIV in BC will be diagnosed, 91% of those on treatment and 90% on effective treatment and unable to pass on HIV (virologically suppressed).
The data shows the province is leading the way in Canada with 80% of people living with HIV diagnosed, 76% of those on treatment and 89% virologically suppressed, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada.
“The BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS and Dr. Julio Montaner pioneered HAART (highly active antiretroviral therapy), the most effective HIV treatment for HIV/AIDS, now being used worldwide. We also helped set the UN 90-90-90 Target based on the Treatment as Prevention¨ model developed here in British Columbia – essentially diagnosing and treating people with HIV earlier to stop disease progression to AIDS,” says Dr. Viviane Lima, Research Scientist and Senior Statistician, BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS.”Once the epicenter of AIDS in Canada, BC has not had a baby born with HIV since 2008.”
While the numbers show good progress, there are a couple of concerns for researchers. Women are 30% less likely to be on HIV treatment compared to men, people with a history of injection drug use are 49% less likely to be on treatment than other groups, and people under 30 were also 35% less likely to be on treatment.
“These are disparities that cannot be allowed to exist in British Columbia,” says the Centre’s Director, Dr. Julio Montaner.”We need to make sure Treatment as Prevention¨ is optimally implemented in every single community so that no one is left behind. This is not just a target that must be met, we need to make sure every British Columbian has a fair shot at an HIV-free future.”
The study found that females were also 20% less likely to achieve virologic suppression, when compared to males. Major barriers for women may include geography, ethnicity, addictions and other treatment-related factors.
People with a history of injection drug use also had a 57% lower chance of suppressing their virus as they may find themselves in situations where they struggle to manage their own health. Out of individuals with a history of injection drug use ever diagnosed with HIV from 2000-2013, only 72% were on HIV treatment, and 78% maintained their virus consistently suppressed.
“When it comes to the gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men community – the research finds they are highly likely to be on treatment, and virologically suppressed, meaning HIV cannot be detected in their blood,” says Lima.”For a community that has been historically disproportionately impacted by HIV, the meeting of these targets should be acknowledged and celebrated.”
HAART is distributed by the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS at no cost and without co-payments to everyone living with HIV in BC. BC is the only jurisdiction in Canada to provide laboratory and medical monitoring services and universal coverage of fully subsidized treatment.
About the British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS
The BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS (BC-CfE) is Canada’s largest HIV/AIDS research, treatment and education facility – nationally and internationally recognized as an innovative world leader in combating HIV/AIDS and related diseases. The made-in-BC Treatment as Prevention¨ strategy (TasP¨) pioneered by BC-CfE, and supported by UNAIDS since 2011, inspired the ambitious global target for HIV treatment – known as the 90-90-90 Target – to end AIDS as a pandemic by 2030. The BC-CfE is applying TasP¨ to therapeutic areas beyond HIV/AIDS, including viral hepatitis and addiction, to promote Targeted Disease Elimination¨ as a means to contribute to healthcare sustainability. The BC-CfE works in close collaboration with key stakeholders, including government, health authorities, health care providers, academics, and the community to decrease the health burden of HIV/AIDS, HCV and addictions across Canada and around the world.
To interview Dr. Viviane Lima, please contact:
Jackie Warren, Communications
Email : jackie.warren@edelman.com
Phone : 604-648-3455