MAX Ottawa Endorses the Undetectable = Untransmittable Consensus Statement

MAX (formerly the Ottawa Gay Men’s Wellness Initiative) seeks to address the unmet health needs of gay, bisexual, two-spirit, queer, and other guys who are into guys, whether cis or trans (GBT2Q), in the Ottawa area. We focus particularly on building resiliency, and creating a network of services able to support and promote GBT2Q men’s health and wellness.

MAX has been following the undetectable = untransmittable (U=U) campaign through its ongoing development. This movement has brought together a range of international experts including health service providers, HIV researchers, people living with HIV and community-based organizations to support and produce an evidence-based consensus statement about the effectiveness of antiretroviral treatment in preventing the sexual transmission of HIV.

As an evidence-based community organization, MAX recognizes the educational opportunity of this campaign and endorsed the consensus statement on September 12th, 2017:

MAX Ottawa is a champion for the health and wellness of guys into guys. We acknowledge and celebrate the research and evidence showing that the risk of sexual transmission of HIV is insignificant to non-existent when a person living with HIV under antiretroviral treatment (ART) has achieved an undetectable viral load in their blood for at least 6 months. Understanding this milestone, MAX commits to continue working with our communities and our partners to reduce the health access gaps and social stigma for all guys into guys, particularly those facing multiple inequities.