The first time I ever saw Demetre Daskalakis, M.D., M.P.H., was in April 2017, at an afternoon dance party at the AIDS Memorial in downtown New York to end HIV stigma and celebrate the science of U=U (undetectable equals untransmittable. As I was boogie-oogie-oogie-ing, my friend asked me if I recognized the DJ. I looked
Improved access to life-saving health care in downtown Vancouver takes another leap forward as construction kicks off for the new St. Paul’s Hospital at the Jim Pattison Medical Centre, the largest hospital redevelopment project in B.C.’s history. “The new St. Paul’s Hospital will be home to world-class public health care as well as research and
Despite more than 35 years of research, scientists have yet to find a cure for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV): the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has been a major breakthrough that does help suppress the virus, but it’s not a cure. And while there have been a few well-publicized
FHS professors Mark Brockman and Zabrina Brumme are co-leading a study with Dr. Marc Romney, the Medical Lead for Microbiology and Virology at Providence Health Care, to examine the strength and durability of immune responses in residents and staff of long-term care facilities following COVID-19 vaccination. Their study partners include UBC and the BC Centre
The virtual CafÂŽ Scientifique examines the interconnected nature of the climate crisis and mental health At Climate Impacts on the Mental Health and Wellness of British Columbians, the discussion on environmental degradation, mental health, and social injustices confronted the traditional narrative of the climate crisis. By identifying proactive ways to combat the climate crisis and
If Dr. Demetre Daskalakis is harboring anxieties over taking a new national health position in the middle of two global pandemics, it doesn’t show. Formerly the deputy commissioner for the Division of Disease Control at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Daskalakis was hired as director of the Division of HIV/AIDS
A virologist said it may be months before restrictions for visitors are lifted, and freedoms and procedures at seniors’ homes may never return to pre-COVID times. Residents of seven B.C. seniors’ homes, including one with one of the deadliest COVID-19 outbreaks, have been or soon will be fully vaccinated, but a virologist studying how well
We’re in an ‘escalating arms race’ with the virus. Our fighting chance requires vigilance – and patience. Since vaccines began rolling out late last year, many British Columbians have wondered whether the shot would be their pass to hug an elderly loved one, shed their mask or plan postponed weddings. Not so fast, says provincial
A virologist said it may be months before restrictions for visitors are lifted, and freedoms and procedures at seniors’ homes may never return to pre-COVID times. Residents of seven B.C. seniors’ homes, including one with one of the deadliest COVID-19 outbreaks, have been or soon will be fully vaccinated, but a virologist studying how well
It is with heavy heart that we share with you the passing of Carl P Vanderspek, aged 79. Carl passed early Friday, February 5th, 2021, quietly at home in Burnaby, after a year-long battle with cancer, surrounded by some of those who loved him most. Carl is remembered by his loving wife Margaret, son Doug,
Residents of long-term care facilities are at increased risk for serious outcomes of COVID-19. As vaccines are now being offered to this priority population, the Government of Canada is investing over $2 million through Canada’s COVID-19 Immunity Task Force (CITF) for two studies in British Columbia (BC) and Alberta which will investigate how the immune
When Jenny Bailey learned she was next in line to get the COVID-19 vaccine, she could hardly contain herself. “I was so excited when I found out we were getting it. I was just stopping myself from doing cartwheels,” she says with a laugh. “I was thrilled.” As a member of a priority population, Bailey,
Residents of long-term care facilities are at increased risk for serious outcomes from COVID-19. Now, a new study, led by researchers from UBC’s faculty of medicine, Providence Health Care, Simon Fraser University and the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, will investigate how elderly peoples’ immune systems respond to COVID-19 vaccines. The researchers will also
“If Black women were affected by HIV in the same way that White women were, the new HIV cases among Black women would be down by 93 percent.” Raniyah Copeland, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Black AIDS Institute, has devoted her career to furthering the conversation around HIV/AIDs and the Black community. Today
HIV-prevention pills are now available at 1,227 government health facilities around the country. While far from the 100% target, this is a substantial improvement on the roughly 160 facilities that provided the pills six months ago. In February 2020, the national department of health told Spotlight that it aimed to make a pill to prevent
Life-saving initiatives will provide pharmaceutical-grade medication as alternative to toxic illegal drug supply during COVID-19 outbreak and beyond February 1, 2021 | Vancouver, BC | Health Canada The overdose crisis continues to be one of the most serious public health crises in Canada’s recent history. Tragically, in many communities, the COVID-19 outbreak is worsening this
Life-saving initiatives will provide pharmaceutical-grade medication as alternative to toxic illegal drug supply during COVID-19 outbreak and beyond February 1, 2021 | Vancouver, BC | Health Canada The overdose crisis continues to be one of the most serious public health crises in Canada’s recent history. Tragically, in many communities, the COVID-19 outbreak is worsening this
Ottawa funds pilots in Vancouver and Victoria to test models that help people avoid poisoned illicit drugs. A first-of-its kind safer supply clinic in Vancouver’s downtown will begin to offer flexible, individual-centred care to people who use a variety of substances as early as this spring. The $5-million, four-year Safer Alternatives for Emergency Response program
The federal government is providing more than $15 million over the next four years to create four safer drug supply projects for people at risk of overdoses in British Columbia. The projects will provide pharmaceutical-grade medication as an alternative to the toxic illegal opioid supply currently in circulation, in an attempt to reduce illicit drug
Dozens of African countries have made limited progress and are unlikely to meet UNAIDS targets for HIV testing and condom use by 2030, researchers reported at the HIV Research for Prevention virtual conference. Phuong Nguyen, a PhD candidate at St. Luke’s International University Graduate School of Public Health in Tokyo, and colleagues assessed survey data
