New research released today shows just one third of Brits know the facts about HIV transmission, as EastEnders’ Zack Hudson is told by doctors the medication he is taking to suppress the virus means he can’t pass on HIV.
The new data revealed to mark this landmark moment found just 36% of people know that someone living with HIV and on effective treatment can’t pass the virus on to partners, according to YouGov polling of 2,088 UK adults for our research.
This clearly shows why the drama’s ongoing HIV storyline is so important in helping to update the public’s knowledge of HIV and bust myths that have persisted since the 1980s. Especially when so much medical progress has been made in treating HIV since EastEnders’ previous HIV storyline featuring Mark Fowler, who was diagnosed back in 1991 long before effective treatments were available.
The research also found just half (47%) of Brits correctly know that someone living with HIV can have children who are HIV-negative. This myth is also being busted as Zack and onscreen girlfriend Whitney are able to try for a baby now that levels of HIV are undetectable in his blood.
Our research also found shocking levels of HIV-related stigma, despite all the medical progress that’s been made. The data show just 42% of Brits would be comfortable dating someone living with HIV, while only a third (35%) would be comfortable kissing someone who is HIV positive.
Additionally, even though HIV treatment suppresses the virus to undetectable levels meaning it can’t be passed on, fewer than one in five people (18%) would be comfortable having sex with someone living with HIV and on effective treatment. Despite there being zero risk of HIV being passed on.
We're working with EastEnders on its latest HIV storyline to make sure the drama aligns with current facts about the virus, having previously advised the soap back in 1991 when Mark Fowler was first diagnosed. There was a 75% increase in traffic to the our site with viewers searching for up-to-date information following Zack Hudson’s diagnosis in January.
The research also found that 39% of Brits are aware of Mark Fowler being diagnosed with HIV rising to 66% in 45-54 year olds and dropping to just 3% in those aged 18-24, underlining the huge impact that soap operas can have in educating people about important issues. One in five people (21%) said they had learned about HIV through TV and film.
We hope that Zack being told his HIV is ‘undetectable’ will have a big impact in raising awareness of HIV transmission and help to tackle the stigma continuing to surround HIV. Our Can’t Pass It On campaign is designed to raise awareness of how much medical progress has been made in preventing transmission of HIV.
Dr Kate Nambiar, Medical Director at Terrence Higgins Trust, said: “Zack being told he is undetectable and that he can’t pass on HIV is a landmark moment that shows just how much HIV has changed since Mark Fowler’s diagnosis in the 1980s. The brilliant thing about soaps is that we don’t just see the immediate aftermath of Zack’s diagnosis, but also the characters learning about the realities of HIV in 2023 and Zack living a normal life which HIV is just a small part of.
“Our new research shows just why this storyline is so important with low levels of knowledge resulting in high levels of stigma and discrimination. We hope that EastEnders’ millions of viewers watch the storyline, learn the facts and see that there is absolutely no reason not to kiss, date or have sex with people living with HIV.”
Allan Batcock is a straight man living with HIV. He said: “It’s incredible to see EastEnders raising awareness of the experience that thousands of straight men living with HIV across the UK face and that it’s nothing to be ashamed of.
“When I was diagnosed with HIV at 34 it hit me like a sledgehammer. I’d learned about HIV from the tombstone adverts in the 1980s and thought I would be limited – but then I learned about the huge medical progress we’ve made around HIV and that I could live a long, fulfilling life thanks to the treatment that I take. Since being diagnosed with HIV, I’m now married to my childhood sweetheart who is HIV negative and we live with our three kids as a happy family.
“A lot of men are bad at talking about our feelings and health – that’s why I hope Zack’s story of coming to terms with HIV diagnosis, and now being unable to pass the virus on thanks to effective treatment, inspires straight men to open up about how they’re feeling and get tested for HIV.”
Victoria Roscow is a mother who is living with HIV. She said: “I was over the moon when I first found out I was pregnant – but my world came crashing down at my first ultrasound scan when I found out I was HIV positive. I was put on medication straight away and became undetectable very quickly within three weeks. Because of this, I was able to give birth to a child free from HIV.
“People living with HIV can lead healthy and normal lives, however sadly many of us continue to experience stigma and discrimination because of our HIV status. Through Zack’s storyline, EastEnders is educating millions of people and showing that HIV doesn’t have to get in the way of living a happy life.
“Seeing someone struggling after being diagnosed with HIV and coming out the other side healthy with a HIV negative partner and now the option to have a HIV negative child will do so much in challenging negative perceptions around the virus and help others living with HIV learn to love themselves just as they are.”
