Health research team awarded $2.7M for major study on HIV and aging

published on October 3, 2014

VANCOUVER – Dr. Robert Hogg, research scientist with the British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS and professor in the faculty of Health Sciences at Simon Fraser University, and a team of investigators from across the country have been awarded a $2.7M grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) to expand Canada’s only longitudinal study of more than 10,000 HIV-positive individuals accessing antiretroviral therapy in Canada.

The study known as Canadian Observational Cohort (CANOC) Collaboration, has been examining data from patient databases across British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec. The national research team has been studying regional differences in viral load testing between provinces, issues of co-infection with HIV and hepatitis C, and factors associated with late initiation of anti-retroviral treatment, among other clinically relevant topics. The team has identified a gap in national active surveillance of HIV disease and co-morbid conditions, and will use the new funding and resources to establish the CANOC Centre. New projects will assess the impact of HIV on aging-related co-morbidities, including cardiovascular disease, renal disease, liver disease and cancer, and also include new research teams and patient data from Saskatchewan.

“We are delighted to be able to continue the work established by the Canadian Observational Cohort Collaboration through the newly funded CIHR CANOC Centre,” says Dr. Robert Hogg, principal investigator of the CANOC Centre research team. “Our large and productive team of researchers will continue to monitor the impact and outcomes of modern anti-retroviral therapy (ART) on individuals living with HIV in the Canada, while exploring co-morbidities associated with aging on ART.”

The Centre will also provide new mentorship opportunities for students and community investigators.

“CANOC is well-situated to respond to future research questions related to the Canadian HIV/AIDS epidemic,” says Dr. Hogg. “Over the next five years, we will continue to gain valuable new insights into the long-term effects of antiretroviral therapy in people living with HIV.”

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About the British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS:

The BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS (BC-CfE) is Canada’s largest HIV/AIDS research, treatment and education facility and is internationally recognized as an innovative world leader in combating HIV/AIDS and related diseases. BC-CfE is based at St. Paul’s Hospital, Providence Health Care, a teaching hospital of the University of British Columbia. The BC-CfE works in close collaboration with key provincial stakeholders, including health authorities, health care providers, academics from other institutions, and the community to decrease the health burden of HIV and AIDS. By developing, monitoring and disseminating comprehensive research and treatment programs for HIV and related illnesses, the BC-CfE helps improve the health of British Columbians living with HIV.

About Simon Fraser University (SFU):

As Canada’s engaged university, SFU is defined by its dynamic integration of innovative education, cutting-edge research and far-reaching community engagement. SFU was founded almost 50 years ago with a mission to be a different kind of university—to bring an interdisciplinary approach to learning, embrace bold initiatives, and engage with communities near and far. Today, SFU is a leader amongst Canada’s comprehensive research universities and is ranked one of the top universities in the world under 50 years of age. With campuses in British Columbia’s three largest cities—Vancouver, Surrey and Burnaby—SFU has eight faculties, delivers almost 150 programs to over 30,000 students, and boasts more than 130,000 alumni in 130 countries around the world.

About the Canadian HIV Observational Cohort (CANOC) Collaborative Research Centre:

The Canadian HIV Observational Cohort (CANOC) Collaborative Research Centre focuses on HIV health services and epidemiologic cohort research. This national collaboration conducts policy-relevant studies in HIV therapeutics, population and public health. The CANOC Centre brings together a diverse team to capitalize on the unique and robust CANOC database, maximizing the quality and breadth of the health services and policy research generated. The Centre is funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the CIHR Canadian HIV Trials Network (CTN242).

CANOC’s newly-launched website at www.canoc.ca contains up-to-date information on all current Centre principal investigators, co-investigators, staff, and community collaborators, as well as information on CANOC publications and conference presentations. The call for scholars and community investigators, which will be launched in the coming months, will also be posted on the website.

About the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR):

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) is the Government of Canada’s health research investment agency. CIHR’s mission is to create new scientific knowledge and to enable its translation into improved health, more effective health services and products, and a strengthened health care system for Canadians. Composed of 13 Institutes, CIHR provides leadership and support to more than 13,200 health researchers and trainees across Canada. www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca

Media inquiries:

British Columbia media inquiries:

SFU Spokesperson:

Dr. John O’Neil
Professor, Faculty of Health Sciences
Phone: 778-782-5361
Office: BLU 11328
Email: joneil@sfu.ca

SFU Communications contact:

Carol Thorbes
Information Officer
Simon Fraser University (SFU)
Public Affairs and Media Relations
Room 2200 Strand Hall
Phone: 778-782-3035
Email: cthorbes@sfu.ca

CfE Communications contact:

Marina Irick
CANOC Research Coordinator
Epidemiology & Population Health
BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS
608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver BC, V6Z 1Y6
Phone: 778-835-8771
Email: mirick@cfenet.ubc.ca

Ontario Media inquiries:

OTTAWA Communications contact:

Dr. Curtis Cooper, MD, FRCPC
Associate Professor of Medicine- University of Ottawa
The Ottawa Hospital- Division of Infectious Diseases
Email: ccooper@toh.on.ca

Ontario HIV Treatment Network Communications contact:

Dr. Ann Burchell
The Ontario HIV Treatment Network
1300 Yonge Street, Suite 600, Toronto, ON, M4T 1X3
Phone: 416-642-6486 extension 2210
Email: aburchell@ohtn.on.ca or ann.burchell@utoronto.ca

University Health Network/Toronto General Hospital Communications contact:

Alexandra Radkewcyz
Senior Public Affairs Advisor
Toronto General Hospital, Munk Building Room LC-409
200 Elizabeth Street, Toronto, ON, M5G 2C4
Phone: 416-340-4800 x 3895
Email: alexandra.radkewycz@uhn.ca

Maple Leaf Medical Clinic Communications contact:

Dr. Mona Loutfy, Research Director
Phone: 416-725-9566
Email: mona.loutfy@wchospital.ca

Quebec Media inquiries:

McGill University Health Centre Communications contact:

Dr. Marina Klein
Research Director
McGill University Health Centre, Chronic Viral Illness Service, Montreal Chest Institute
3650 Saint Urbain Street, Montreal, Quebec, H2X 2P4
Phone: 514-843-2090
Email: marina.klein@ mcgill.ca

Montreal General Hospital Communications contact:

Dr. Chris Tsoukas
McGill University Health Centre
1650 Cedar Ave, Room A5-140, Montreal, QC
Tel: 514-934-8035
Fax: 514-937-1424
Email: chris.tsoukas@muhc.mcgill.ca

L’Actuel Medical Communications contact:

Dr. Réjean Thomas
President-Director general, Founder
Clinique médicale L’Actuel
1001 boul. de Maisonneuve Est, Suite 1130, Montreal, QC, H2L 4P9
Phone: 514-524-3642 ext. 264
Email: Rejean.Thomas@lactuel.ca

– Or –

Nimâ Machouf
Epidemiologist
Clinique medicale L’Actuel
Phone: 514-524-3642 ext. 287
Email: Nima.machouf@lactuel.ca

Saskatchewan Media inquiries:

Southern Saskatchewan HIV Cohort Communications contact:

Dr. Alexander Wong
4E – Regina General Hospital
1440 14th Avenue, Regina, Saskatchewan, S4P 0W5
Tel: 306-766-3915
Fax: 306-766-3995

Saskatoon (SHARE) Communications contact:

Dr. Stephen Sanche
Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan
Royal University Hospital
103 Hospital Drive, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 0W8
Phone: 306-655-6658
Email: Stephen.sanche@usask.ca

– Or –

Dr. Stryker Calvez
Project Coordinator/Researcher
Saskatchewan HIV/AIDS Research Endeavour
1120 20th Street, Saskatoon, SK, S7M 0Y8
Email: Stryker.calvez@usask.ca

BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS

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Health research team awarded $2.7M for major study on HIV and aging

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