ONAP’s Harold Phillips Discusses “I am a Work of ART” and U=U

In the last two months, we’ve had many exciting conversations about the new national viral suppression campaign, “I am a Work of ART.” This community-informed campaign encourages people with HIV who are not in care to seek care, stay in care, and achieve viral suppression through antiretroviral therapy (ART). Today, we encourage you to watchExit Disclaimer this FYI video featuring Harold Phillips, Director of the White House Office of National AIDS Policy, discussing the campaign, developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Infectious Disease and HIV/AIDS Policy. 

In the video, Mr. Phillips shares how the campaign features people with HIV reflecting on what engaging in consistent HIV medical care and taking ART means to them. He also highlighted the importance of people with HIV starting ART as soon as possible after their diagnosis, as it lengthens their lives and improves their health outcomes.

Campaigns like “I am a Work of ART” are integral to viral suppression messaging, including the U=U message. Mr. Phillips shared: “U=U, or undetectable equals untransmittable, [means] that the level of the virus in someone’s system is so low because they’re on antiretroviral therapy, that they cannot pass it on to their sexual partners. So, not only does ART help you take care of yourself, but it also takes care of those you might be having sex with.”

The U=U message was launched in 2016 by the Prevention Access Campaign and has been communicated widely by medical, scientific, and public health institutions worldwide. During AIDS 2022, it was announced that the U.S. Federal Government has adopted U=U to further guide HIV treatment and prevention efforts. This announcement means that the U=U message will be embedded in the nation’s policy and programming efforts across the board.

Stay Tuned for More About the “I am a Work of ART” Campaign

In the next few weeks, we will share more information on those conversations, which included colleagues from The White House, the International AIDS Conference, and Blackdoctors.org. For more information about the “I am a Work of ART Campaign,” visit HIV.gov/ART. Spanish-language campaign materials are coming in October! For more conversations with Harold Phillips, sign up for email updates.