Awareness of U=U increasing, but HIV-negative MSM still less likely to believe in its accuracy

Two recent US studies find growing awareness and acceptability of the Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U) message among men who have sex with men (MSM). However, a misunderstanding of transmission risk remains, with many still believing that HIV-positive partners can transmit the virus sexually, despite having an undetectable viral load.

While over half of a large sample of MSM from around the US perceived U=U to be accurate, the majority of those who thought so were HIV-positive men, while nearly 50% of HIV-negative men and those who did not know their status still perceived U=U as not completely accurate. This research was carried out by Dr Jonathon Rendina and colleagues at City University of New York and published yesterday in the Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes. According to another recent study by Dr Steven Meanly and colleagues at the University of Pennsylvania and published in the November issue of Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 70% of the young HIV-negative (or unaware of their status) MSM sampled in the US Mid-Atlantic region were aware of the U=U message. However, just over a third rated the statement as completely accurate.

There is now wide-ranging scientific consensus that those on successful antiretroviral therapy (ART) for six months or more with a suppressed viral load cannot transmit the virus sexually. Treatment as Prevention (TasP) for HIV is supported by the World Health Organization, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and various public health organisations worldwide. Many researchers and activists have aimed to spread this message far and wide, with some proclaiming that TasP or U=U is a human rights issue. It has legal, social, behavioural and public health implications; it could potentially reduce stigma towards those living with HIV.

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During the Canada Post strike announced September 25, 2025, the following measures will be undertaken to minimize service disruption to BC-CfE clients and providers.

  • The BC-CfE Laboratory has transitioned to private courier for delivery of outgoing reports and documents. Results required urgently can be faxed upon request. (Lab Contact Information: Phone 604-806-8775; FAX 604-806-9463)
  • The BC-CfE Drug Treatment Program (DTP) will fax outgoing forms and documents to the provider’s office. (DTP Contact Information: Phone 604-806-8515; FAX 604-806-9044)
  • St. Paul’s Hospital Ambulatory Pharmacy has transitioned to private courier for delivery of medications. We recommend requesting medication at least 2 weeks in advance in case of delivery delays, particularly to rural/remote parts of BC. (Contact Information: Phone 1-800-547-3622; FAX 604-806-8675)

During the Canada Post strike, we recommend that documents be faxed or couriered to our sites, versus utilization of regular mail service

The BC-CfE Laboratory is streamlining reporting processes for certain tests in order to simplify distribution and record-keeping, and to ensure completeness of results. Beginning September 2, 2025, results for the ‘Resistance Analysis of HIV-1 Protease and Reverse Transcriptase’ (Protease-RT) and ‘HIV-1 Integrase Resistance Genotype’ tests will be combined into a single ‘HIV-1 Resistance Genotype Report’.
For more details and example reports, please click on the button below