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2023 U=U Global Policy Roundtable Report: A Multistakeholder Perspective on U=U Research and Policy Priorities

Nathanael Wells , Bruce Richman, Daniel Grace , Benjamin Riley, Christian Hui , Lara Vojnov, Lucy Stackpool-Moore, Jason Ong , Alexander Dowell-Day, Brent Allan

Abstract

Background: Launched in 2016 by Prevention Access Campaign, the ‘Undetectable = Untransmittable’ (U=U) campaign empowers people living with HIV to live full social, sexual, and reproductive lives, dismantle stigma, promote increased treatment access, and advocate for updated HIV national and international HIV guidelines. Methods: Key priorities for promoting improvements to community-centred, evidence-informed U=U policy and research were the focus of a half-day global roundtable held in 2023 alongside the 12th International AIDS Society Conference in Brisbane, Australia. After a series of presentations, delegates participated in facilitated discussions and detailed notes taken on issues related to advancing policies and research related to U=U. Results: In-depth knowledge and trust in U=U remains uneven and is largely concentrated among people living with HIV, particularly those connected to networks of gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men. There is a need to ensure all members of priority populations are explicitly included in policies that utilise and promote U=U. It is necessary that policymakers, healthcare professionals, advocates, and researchers work closely with community-based organisations to ensure the U=U message is relevant, useful, and utilised in the HIV response. Adopting language such as “zero risk” was identified as crucial when describing undetectable viral load as an effective HIV prevention strategy. Conclusion: U=U can have significant benefits for the mental and physical wellbeing of people living with HIV. There is an urgent need to address the structural barriers to HIV care and treatment access to ensure the full benefits of U=U are realised.

SH24017  Accepted 01 May 2024

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