We can beat AIDS in Canada. Here’s how

published on March 16, 2015 by Julio Montaner and Ryan Meili, in iPolitics

Canadians are rightly proud of the universal coverage provided by our national health care system. Sadly, there are gaps in our access that have very grave consequences. In regions across the country, care and treatment is failing to reach those living with HIV.

Saskatchewan is one a number of regions in Canada — along with Manitoba and our nation’s capital — experiencing alarming spikes in the spread of HIV. In 2009, the province saw a rate of new HIV cases comparable to Nigeria. Numbers have declined since this peak, partly due to Saskatchewan’s four-year HIV strategy (concluded in 2014) that increased testing, treatment and support for people living with HIV and AIDS.

Unfortunately, rates of HIV in Saskatchewan continue to be the highest in the country. Incidence rates in 2012 were at 17 cases per 100,000. By comparison, the 2012 rates of HIV-positive test reports for B.C., Ontario, and Quebec were 5.1, 6.2 and 5.6, respectively. Saskatchewan also continues to experience high levels of HIV-related illness and death.

The province is looking for solutions. SHARE, the Saskatchewan HIV/AIDS Research Endeavour, is working to establish a research agenda and learn from successes in other provinces. They are turning to the trailblazing work of the B.C. Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS for answers.

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Treatment as Prevention®

Julio Montaner

BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS

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We can beat AIDS in Canada. Here’s how

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