Connecting with our network coast to coast

Where Are We Now? Service Provider Perspectives on Needed Preparedness to Address HAND

In 2016, a REACH-funded community-based research project explored the perspectives and work experiences of providers in Ontario AIDS service organizations (ASOs) on addressing HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorders (HAND) in their work. This investigation was conducted by researchers from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in partnership with OHTN and a Community Advisory Board (CAB) comprised of people living with HIV (PLWH) and providers who support the mental health of HIV-positive clients.

2017 Researcher of the Month Program: Rising Star Research Awards

The new 2017  program is aimed at promoting careers in health research and life sciences and at recognizing excellence in research conducted by university students at the Master’s, Ph.D.(c), and post-doctoral levels, and by recently recruited research professionals (research assistant or associate for less than 5 years) in all areas and disciplines that  are under health research.

Once a month, from January 2017 to October 2017, in the lead-up to the 5th Gala of Excellence in health research in November 2017, the NBHRF will present $250 to the monthly winners in each of the award categories (Master’s, Doctoral, Post-doctoral & Research Professional).

Les droits des personnes vivant avec le VIH à l’honneur lors de la Fierté Montréal

Montréal se prépare à accueillir les évènements de la Fierté, festival haut en couleurs, organisé depuis 10 ans pour célébrer la diversité au Canada. Parmi une panoplie d’évènements à ne pas manquer, la COCQ-SIDA sera présente lors de la conférence nationale intitulée, Réalités LGBTTIQA2S : nos luttes, nos victoires, nos défis, où Liz Lacharpagne, coordonnatrice du programme Droits de la personne et VIH/Sida et Geneviève Binette, responsable du service VIH Info droits présenteront les Principaux enjeux concernant les Droits des personnes vivant avec le VIH.

Capacity Bridging: Reciprocity at Work in Research

Janice Duddy, PAN’s Director of Evaluation and Community-Based Research, had the opportunity to speak with Sherri Pooyak, the Community Based Research Manager with the Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network/Aboriginal HIV & AIDS CBR Collaborative Centre (AHA Centre), about an interesting new idea called capacity bridging.

‘Capacity-bridging’ is an emerging term proposed by the AHA Centre that moves away from the implied deficits that accompany the term ‘capacity-building,’ and aims to instead acknowledge that all parties bring skills and knowledge to a collaborative experience. A capacity-bridging model recognizes and works to ‘bridge’ these diverse forms of knowledge to achieve a more rigorous and fulsome outcome.

Testing Talking Points: Self-sampling vs Self-testing

Recently, a UK based company called LetsGetChecked, announced an opportunity for Canadians to purchase a self-sampling kit that can be used to test for up to 10 sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. The cost of the kit increases depending on the number of tests the individual wants to add. Samples that yield a positive result will trigger a follow-up from a member of the health team who will help the client navigate the resources and a linkage to care pathway in their area. As exciting as this news was, it did prompt some questions. Is self-sampling the solution to give power to people to test themselves? How did this enter the market when Canada still does not have an approved HIV self-testing kit? The answer to this may lie in the difference between self-testing and self-sampling.

Welcome to the new 2017-2018 UWW Fellows!

We're so excited to introduce you to the newest UWW cohort that will begin in September. You can read more about the newest Intervention Research Fellows here.