In the 80s, HIV devastated the public, particularly the gay community, and a positive test often rendered a death sentence. Society treated HIV-positive people as outcasts, shunned by the stigma that came with the virus and fueled fears about casual contact.Fast-forward to today, and the landscape has shifted. On the brink of 2025, HIV prevention and treatment options like pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), which include oral pills or bi-monthly shots, have reduced HIV risk by 99% sexually and 74% through drug exposure.Even if someone contracts HIV today, antiretroviral therapy (ART) offers a way to bring viral levels down to an undetectable level, meaning the virus becomes untransmittable. This concept, known as Undetectable equals Untransmittable or U=U, has emerged as a rallying cry for change. At the forefront of this movement is Bruce Richman, founder of the Prevention Access Campaign (PAC), whose work has transformed U=U into a global movement thats changed millions of lives and challenged decades of stigma and fear.A lifelong commitment to social justiceRichmans mother shaped his values and passion for advocacy during his upbringing. Prior to founding PAC, he dedicated his career to developing social solutions and impact-driven projects, working with prominent public figures and corporations to create positive change.But in 2003, Richmans life took a sharp turn when he, himself, contracted HIV. I thought Id never have a future where I could experience love and intimacy without fear, he admits. His outlook changed in 2012 when his doctor informed him that because his HIV was undetectable, he couldnt transmit the virus to anyone else. It was life-changing, he says. I realized I could have a future filled with love and connection, free from the stigma and fear Id carried for years.Bruce Richman. Photo: Prevention AccessAlong with this revelation, Richman was frustrated by medical and public health establishments professionals hesitancy to share the information publiclydespite the growing scientific evidencedue to concern about potential confusion or a rise in other STIs. Richman recognized the disconnect between what science had proven and what people living with HIV were being told, which sparked the fire that led to the U=U campaign.Mobilizing a movement for changeIn 2015, Richman took a leap of faith and left his work with clients to create PAC and develop U=U into a global campaign. I used my white male privilege to get in the door, he says. The science was there, but there was a real hesitancy to share it with people. He made it his mission to make U=U a widely recognized reality that could empower people with HIV to live free of the stigma they had carried for too long.Medical experts remained cautious, often only sharing U=U with patients they deemed responsible or able to understand. They also withheld the information from marginalized communities. I really got to see discrimination in our field, especially the way that people of color and other marginalized communities were being treated, he says.Over the last decade, Richman and PAC have worked to educate and mobilize, partnering with researchers, clinicians, and activists to create a 2016 consensus statement confirming that undetectable viral loads cannot transmit HIV. This breakthrough moment led to a surge in advocacy, with PAC and activists pressuring major health organizations like the CDC, UNAIDS, and the World Health Organization to adopt U=U as part of their public health messaging.A global movementToday, U=U has become a global movement, with people around the world embracing the message. From soccer tournaments in Nigeria to musical performances in Myanmar, U=U has transcended borders and become a symbol of hope and empowerment. People are tattooing U=U on their bodies, hosting U=U summer camps, dancing and marching in the streets Its become a real movement, says Richman.Despite the campaigns successes, challenges remain. In the US, only around 57% of people with HIV are at U=U, and only 54% of people with HIV understand or believe in U=U.The disparities become more pronounced in marginalized communities, where access to healthcare and education remains a barrier. Richman highlights the disproportionate impact on Black, Latino, and Indigenous communities which are often overlooked due to systemic inequities.The power of communityThe resilience and strength of the HIV-positive community keep Richman fighting for change. The power of our community when we mobilize and work together is extraordinary, he says. He emphasizes that it was the community that pushed for change, not just scientists and policymakers. We changed the way public health communication got out to the world. We confirmed the science, and then we pushed all these agencies to change their messaging.As the world moves closer to 2025, Richman remains hopeful but realistic about the work ahead. Were not on track to eliminate new transmissions by 2030, but we could be, he says. The key, he believes, is ensuring that people with HIV have access to the treatment and care they need to achieve undetectable status. Its a win-win for everyone. When people with HIV are on treatment, we stay healthy, and no ones going to get HIV from us.For those fearful of the future, Richman offers a message of resilience: We are a strong community. Weve overcome so much, and this is just a speed bump on a long journey. We just have to stay in it together Theres nothing we cant do when we unite.U=U stands as a story of transformation for individuals and the global community rallying around hope and empowerment. Its a movement built on love, truth, and the unwavering belief that everyone deserves access to accurate information and compassionate care. As Richman and the Prevention Access Campaign look toward the future, they hope that by continuing to spread the message, more people will come to understand that HIV is no longer a barrier to living a full and fulfilling life.The post How U=U is transforming HIV stigma and empowering a global movement appeared first on News Is Out.