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The observational study PARTNER/PARTNER2 defined an undetectable viral load as less than 200 viral copies per milliliter of blood. Although some clinics may set a lower level (40-50 viral copies per milliliter of blood) as an undetectable HIV load. The amount of HIV in your bodily fluids is called your viral load. Effective HIV treatment […]
Read more about What is an Undetectable Viral Load?
Early initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) improves overall health and prevents sexual transmission of HIV. The goal of treatment is to achieve and maintain an undetectable viral load. Studies have shown that effective ART prevents sexual transmission of HIV. Adherence to ART is essential for achieving and maintaining an undetectable viral load. It can take […]
Read more about What is U=U
In Canada, the viral load considered as ‘undetectable’ (40 copies/mL) is much lower compared to the CDC standard (200 copies/mL). At least 2 consecutive undetectable results over a 6 month period are required before u=u can be used as a prevention strategy. #ItStartsWithU.
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U=U is short for “Undetectable is Untransmittable”, a slogan first used by the Prevention Access Campaign to widely share the incredible news of scientific evidence firmly showing that people living with HIV cannot transmit the virus sexually if their viral load is undetectable. It has long been known to epidemiologists that a person’s HIV viral […]
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Our Harm Reduction workers Anya and Marijo recently had the opportunity to work with a group of students in the Capstone post-grad course at Conestoga College to help the students develop infographs addressing myths and misinformation about key Harm Reduction issues. These great collaboratively developed resources are available in PDF and PNG format and are […]
Read more about Myth vs Fact – Harm Reduction Infographic Resources
Last year, Filter Magazine published an article about the lack of Black representation in the Drug Policy Reform discussion: “The lack of discussion of Black overdose deaths in the national opioid discourse further marginalizes Black people, and is highly consistent with a history of framing the addictions of people of color as deserving of criminal […]
Read more about Stop Ignoring Black Drug Policy Reformers (Filter Mag)
A recent paper entitled “We know the streets:” race, place, and the politics of harm reduction” found: •”Harm reduction strategies have historically been unwelcomed in Black communities. •Peer- and street-based naloxone programs can penetrate underserved communities. •Peer programs can empower marginalized groups to combat race-based stereotypes. •Geographically and experientially derived credibility are key tools of […]
Read more about Black Harm Reduction Today
It Takes Courage is an initiative of ACCHO (African Caribbean Council on HIV/AIDS in Ontario) that launched in 2017 and aims to address HIV stigma in Black communities in Ontario. Stigma related to drug use and HIV status keeps people disconnected and alone. Show your courage to end HIV stigma in Black communities. Watch:
Read more about It Takes Courage The Black Coalition for AIDS Prevention (BlackCAP) is a Toronto-based AIDS Service Organization serving Black communities and that also houses a Harm Reduction program. According to BlackCAP: Substance use is a widespread issue in Toronto’s African, Caribbean and Black (ACB) communities. Adults and youth in our community are engaged in high-risk activities that also place […]
Read more about BlackCAP on Black Harm Reduction
Black people are over represented in prison populations in Canada in part due to drug prohibition laws that are disproportionately applied to Black, Indigenous and People of Colour. Incarceration can greatly increase the risk of contracting HIV and Hep C. From the Ontario HIV Treatment Network’s Inside & Out study: HIV is both a sexually […]
Read more about The increased risk of HIV for people experiencing incarceration
