Manitoba Faces Rising HIV Rates Amid Social and Health Challenges

HIV diagnosis rates in Manitoba have surged, largely driven by an intersection of social and health-related challenges, according to Kimberly Templeton, director of a provincial initiative focused on care and treatment for those living with the virus. In 2024, the province recorded an alarming rate of 19.6 per 100,000 residents, significantly higher than the national average of just over 6 per 100,000.

Last year alone, 291 new cases of HIV were reported in Manitoba, with an additional 377 individuals referred to the Manitoba HIV Program. Templeton highlighted a complex “syndemic” affecting the province, defined as the clustering of various social and health issues. These include homelessness, mental health struggles, substance use, socio-economic factors, and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

During an online briefing ahead of World AIDS Day, Templeton stressed the urgency of the situation, indicating that a comprehensive governmental response is necessary to address the multitude of factors contributing to the crisis. “The data clearly demonstrates how critical the situation is,” she stated.

Between 2014 and 2024, the number of new HIV diagnoses and referrals to the Manitoba HIV Program has seen a marked increase, with a staggering 230 percent rise from 2020 to 2024. Currently, Manitoba’s rate of new HIV diagnoses ranks second only to Saskatchewan across Canada. Research from the University of Manitoba led by Zulma Rueda indicates that the HIV rates in these provinces are higher than in all World Health Organization regions, except for certain areas in Africa.

The implications of these rising rates on both health outcomes for those diagnosed and the economic burden on the province are considerable. According to a December 2024 report from the Institute of Health Economics in Alberta, the lifetime cost of a new HIV infection in Canada is estimated at $1.44 million CAD per individual.

Projections made by Rueda and her team suggest that if no new initiatives or interventions are implemented, the number of new HIV diagnoses in Manitoba could reach 724 in 2026, 884 in 2027, and potentially 1,080 by 2028. Templeton emphasized the stark contrast to years before 2018, when new diagnoses were around 100 annually.

The Manitoba HIV Program, through its Program to Access Treatment for HIV and Support (PATHS), continues to offer essential services to those living with HIV. As Mike Payne, executive director of the Nine Circles Community Health Centre, noted, PATHS aims to provide comprehensive care that includes psychosocial support, culturally safe care for Indigenous people, and assistance in accessing HIV treatment.

The Manitoba HIV Program currently supports over 2,500 individuals living with HIV, showcasing the urgent need for continued and enhanced support systems in the province. The growing HIV crisis underscores the importance of addressing the interconnected social and health issues that contribute to this public health challenge.