U = U

Undetectable = Untransmittable

U=U is a simple but hugely important campaign based on a solid foundation of scientific evidence. It has already been successful in influencing public opinion, causing more people with HIV (and their friends and families) to comprehend that they can live long, healthy lives, have children, and never have to worry about passing on their infection to others.

Why is U = U Important?

A groundswell of research confirms that when a person living with HIV is on effective treatment, it will reduce the level of HIV to "undetectable" levels which protects their health and makes them incapable of transmitting HIV to their sexual partners, or what we call "Undetectable = Untransmittable: U=U". As a prevention strategy, this is often referred to as Treatment as Prevention.

The U=U message is an unprecedented opportunity to transform the lives of millions of people with and affected by HIV and to radically transform the field:

Improves the lives of people living with HIV by dramatically reducing the shame and fear of sexual transmission and opening up possibilities for conceiving children without alternative means of insemination.

Dismantles HIV stigma on the community, clinical, and personal level.

Encourages people living with HIV to start and stay on treatment, which keeps them and their partners healthy.

Strengthens advocacy efforts for universal access to treatment, care, and diagnostics to save lives and bring us closer to ending the epidemic.

It's a game changer for people living with HIV and for the field that people on effective treatment cannot transmit HIV, but it's still widely unknown. U=U and our partners are changing the narrative.