Canada’s progress towards ending the HIV epidemic

Canada has committed to meeting the global targets for HIV testing and treatment.^{Reference 1} By 2025 the global targets are^{Reference 2}:

• 95% of people living with HIV are diagnosed
• 95% of those diagnosed are on treatment
• 95% of those on treatment have a suppressed viral load

There were an estimated 65,270 people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Canada at the end of 2022.

Among PLHIV:

• 51% were gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM)
• 25% were females
• 13% were people who have ever injected drugs (PWID)

HIV disproportionately affects certain people, populations and communities.

The estimated HIV prevalence in 2022 among these populations was:

• 0.2% overall Canadian population
  • 0.25% in males, 0.08% in females
• 2.2% among people who have ever injected drugs^{Reference 3}
• 5% among gbMSM^{Reference 4Reference 5}

Canada’s progress towards meeting the 95-95-95 targets in 2022^{Reference 6}:

• 89% of PLHIV were diagnosed
• 85% of people diagnosed with HIV were on treatment
• 95% of people on HIV treatment had a suppressed viral load

1 in 10 PLHIV did not know their status

The COVID-19 pandemic reduced the demand for and access to services, and impacted Canada’s progress towards meeting the 95-95-95 targets.

Continued efforts to provide culturally competent care and support will help Canada recover from the impact of the pandemic.

The HIV care continuum targets for females living with HIV were lower compared to males.

Males: 48,368 PLHIV

• 90% of PLHIV were diagnosed
• 86% of people diagnosed with HIV were on treatment
• 96% of people on HIV treatment had a suppressed viral load

Females: 16,544 PLHIV

• 86% of PLHIV were diagnosed
• 84% of people diagnosed with HIV were on treatment
• 92% of people on HIV treatment had a suppressed viral load

An estimated 1,848 new infections occurred in Canada in 2022. This is a 15% increase from the estimate for 2020 (1,610).

5 people were infected each day

New infections occur more frequently in some populations compared to the general population.

The estimated 2022 HIV incidence rates (per 100,000 people) were:

• 5 overall Canadian population (6 in males and 3 in females)
• 494 among people who have injected drugs in the past 6-12 months^{Reference 3}
• 187 among sexually active gbMSM^{Reference 4Reference 5}

Interventions to prevent the spread of HIV

• Know your status so you can access treatment, protect your health and the health of your partner(s)
• HIV is not sexually transmitted when a PLHIV is on treatment and the amount of HIV in their blood remains very low^{Reference 7}
• HIV-PrEP and HIV-PEP are medications that can help reduce the risk of getting HIV^{Reference 8}
• To learn more about HIV visit Canada.ca/HIV

References / Notes