While global rates of new HIV infections and HIV-related deaths are declining, Canada is witnessing an alarming trend in the opposite direction. According to public health data, there were 2,434 newly diagnosed cases of HIV in Canada in 2023, marking a 35% increase compared to the previous year. This rise contrasts sharply with a global 22% reduction in new infections between 2010 and 2021, largely driven by progress in sub-Saharan Africa.
Canada’s uptick in HIV cases is attributed to growing challenges in prevention and treatment, particularly within high-risk populations. Nearly 40% of new cases in 2023 were linked to heterosexual contact, 36% to male-to-male sexual contact, and 18% to injection drug use. Experts highlight a decline in awareness and education efforts, as well as limited access to harm-reduction resources, as key factors behind the surge.
Globally, advances in antiretroviral treatments (ARVs) have significantly reduced HIV-related deaths. However, Canada faces barriers to prevention, including inadequate access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and limited availability of harm-reduction programs, such as sterile injection equipment. Experts in Saskatchewan, one of the provinces with the highest rates of new diagnoses, cite unsafe drug use and insufficient self-testing as major contributors to the crisis.
Indigenous communities are particularly vulnerable, with systemic barriers such as discrimination in healthcare and lack of culturally sensitive programs hindering access to testing and treatment. Advocates, including the Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network, are calling for Indigenous-led solutions and increased funding for tailored programs to address these challenges.
Advancements in prevention, such as injectable drugs that require less frequent dosing, hold promise for curbing the spread of HIV. However, experts warn that equitable access to these innovations will be essential to making a meaningful impact. Advocates stress that sustained government investment in prevention and harm-reduction strategies is crucial to reversing Canada’s rising infection rates and preventing long-term costs to the healthcare system.
