HIV/AIDS Communiqué - Volume 2 Number 3 - Fall 2003

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Reports and Surveys

Business Involvement – IAD

At the International AIDS Conference in Barcelona in 2002, Health Canada's International Affairs Directorate launched a new report entitled “Enhancing Canadian Business Involvement in the Global Response to HIV/AIDS.”

The report makes the case for business involvement in part by appealing to the Canadian business sector's sense of corporate social responsibility. But the report also makes clear just how devastating HIV/AIDS can be not just for individuals and society but also for businesses, entire industries, and national economies.

It also documents what has happened so far through the efforts of organizations promoting business engagement, including the Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS, the World Economic Forum's Global Health Initiative, and corporate support to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. It provides a list of resources and tools for business to use in designing a corporate HIV/AIDS response.

As we have heard so often from those leading the response to HIV/AIDS, “A global crisis demands a global response” – not just from governments and international agencies, but from all sectors of society, including the private sector.

The right information, presented to the right audience, can be a powerful tool for change. It can arouse interest, galvanize energies, and inspire action. Health Canada remains strongly committed to the global response to HIV and AIDS, and we hope business leaders will find this new resource both persuasive and practical in terms of the “why” and the “how” of getting involved.

The report is available in hard copy and CD-Rom, and on the Internet at:

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/intactiv/index-eng.php (Go to HIV/AIDS).

To obtain CD rom or
print copies (a cost would be applied), contact:
The Canadian HIV/AIDS Information Centre
400, 1565 Carling Avenue
Ottawa, Ontario K1Z 8R1
Tel. (613) 725-3434
Toll free in Canada: 1-877-999-7740
Fax (613) 725-1205
www.aidssida.cpha.ca

WAD 2003: Canada's Report on HIV/AIDS 2003

Each year, on World AIDS Day (December 1), the Minister of Health releases Canada's Report on HIV/AIDS, an annual report produced by the HIV/AIDS Policy, Coordination and Programs Division of Health Canada. It is known internally as the World AIDS Day report.

This annual report is the result of a commitment made in 1997 by the Minister of Health to report annually on the progress being made in addressing the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Canada.

The World AIDS Day report is a collaboration between Health Canada and Canadian Strategy on HIV/AIDS partners. It covers the extensive work that has been carried out during the past year, as well as highlighting key issues faced on the national stage, in addition to identifying gaps, challenges and opportunities.

Similar to past reports, the 2003 report will highlight Canada's scientific achievements in HIV/AIDS research and prevention, the increased use of reliable information, the strengthened HIV/AIDS policy coordination and programming, as well as increased capacity. The report will also focus on Canada's increased involvement, participation and partnership, while addressing the important issue of access to services (a first), including limitations and positive next steps, as well as examining Canada's involvement in the global response to HIV/AIDS.

A new feature for the 2003 report will be an increased emphasis on reviewing, renewing and refocusing the efforts of both Health Canada and national organizations. This year's report will also emphasise the United Nations General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) declaration of commitment to HIV/AIDS, and its potential influence on the HIV/AIDS agenda over the past year.

For more information on the 2003 World AIDS Day Report, contact Shannon Brunton Stephens, Program Consultant at Shannon_Brunton_Stephens@hc-sc.gc.ca .

EKOS Survey: HIV/AIDS - An Attitudinal Survey

In the Spring 2003 edition of Communiqué, we asked, “Have you ever wondered what the general public knows about HIV/AIDS, what their risk perceptions are, what their sexual behaviour is, what their level of tolerance is towards people living with HIV/AIDS (PHA)?”

At that time, the HIV/AIDS Policy, Coordination and Programs Division of Health Canada was working with EKOS Research Associations Inc., on an HIV/AIDS awareness survey, administered via telephone to more than 2,000 Canadians. The survey tested Canadians' knowledge, tolerance levels, risk perception and behaviour towards HIV/AIDS. At that time, preliminary survey results indicated that Canadians are fairly knowledgeable about how HIV is transmitted, and are able to identify unsafe sexual practices and needle sharing as key modes of transmission.

The survey and final report is complete, and the executive summary is available at www.aidsida.com .

Although results indicate that overall, Canadians understand that treatments are effective in prolonging the lives of HIV and AIDS patients, there is still a misunderstanding of the fact that AIDS is always fatal. In fact, only six in ten understand that AIDS is always fatal, and nearly one in five believe that the illness can be cured if treated early.

Another disturbing survey finding is that even though most Canadians see HIV/AIDS as a very serious issue, very few would classify themselves as being at risk of contracting HIV.

However, survey results also reveal that Canadians would welcome learning more about the government's efforts in public education, prevention and research into treatment.

For more information on the survey, contact Shannon Brunton Stephens, Program Consultant, at Shannon_Brunton_Stephens@hc-sc.gc.ca.

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