OTTAWA,
ON, July 22, 2024 /CNW/ - Today, Canada is reaffirming its commitment to end
HIV as a public health concern by participating in the
25th International AIDS Conference in Munich, Germany. This conference brings
together those living with, affected by and working on HIV to share
knowledge, best practices and lessons learned to address HIV
globally, improve the health of all people in Canada and remember those who we lost to
HIV/AIDS. The theme, Put People First, calls for a commitment to
meaningfully working with those living with HIV and working on
solutions from the point of view of those most affected.
In Canada, this means
addressing the health inequities and social determinants of
health that contribute to disproportionate rates of HIV among
certain populations. Every community, and person, has unique health
needs. Investments in community-based projects continue to be a
crucial pillar of our HIV response.
In 2022, Canada endorsed the
global declaration on Undetectable=Untransmittable (U=U),
building on Canada's leadership as
the first country to formally endorse the campaign in 2018. Since
then, Canada has integrated U=U
into its programming and policies. U=U is based on scientific
evidence that shows HIV is not passed on through sex when a person
living with HIV is receiving treatment and the amount of the virus
in their blood remains very low. It is an important message that
challenges stigma and discrimination.
The Government of Canada
encourages communities, organizations, and health professionals to
raise awareness and integrate the U=U message in their
everyday practices. Everyone deserves stigma-free, inclusive spaces
where they feel comfortable talking about their HIV status,
learning about the benefits of treatment, and receiving the care
they need.
On February 27, 2024, the
Government of Canada launched the
Sexually Transmitted and Blood-Borne Infections (STBBI) Action Plan
2024-2030 in consultation with community-based organizations,
Indigenous partners, provinces and territories, researchers, and
the health care professionals, and people with lived experience to
help prevent new infections and reduce the impact of HIV and other
sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBI).The STBBI
Action Plan aims to accelerate prevention, diagnosis, and treatment
to reduce the health impacts of STBBI in Canada by 2030 and meet global commitments to
reduce to zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero
AIDS-related deaths. The priorities outlined in this plan are
driven by evidence and reflect today's realities, including
advances in science, intersecting social and structural
determinants of health, the lasting impacts of COVID-19, and
emerging infectious diseases.
Together with partners, stakeholders, community organizations,
and leaders, the Government of Canada will continue to put people first and
enhance culturally-safe access to testing, treatment and care for
HIV.
We invite you to visit the Canada Pavilion, to learn more about
Canada's HIV response.
Minister of Health
The Honourable Mark Holland
Minister of Mental Health and Addictions
The Honourable Ya'ara Saks
SOURCE Public Health Agency of Canada