HIV/AIDS Communiqué - Volume 8, Number 2 - Summer 2009

Table of Contents

• Meeting Report from the International Policy Dialogue on HIV/AIDS and Disability
• Update from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research
• Update from the AIDS Community Action Program Evaluation Working Group
• Update from the Leading Together Championing Committee
• Review of Advisory and Coordination Mechanisms

Meeting Report from The International Policy Dialogue on HIV/AIDS and Disability

Health Canada’s International Affairs Directorate, as part of a partnership arrangement with the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the Public Health Agency of Canada, hosted an International Policy Dialogue on HIV/AIDS and Disability, on March 11-13, 2009, in Ottawa.

The dialogue’s objectives were to explore the place of disability in relation to the changing nature of HIV/AIDS and the required response; allow participants to share and learn from each other’s experiences; and build and reinforce the partnerships needed to sustain a comprehensive global response to HIV/AIDS, including issues related to disability. Key expected outcomes of the dialogue included enhanced partnerships and policy discussions; increased understanding of the interplay between HIV/AIDS and disability; and increased understanding of needs related to education, policy development, programming and research.

Approximately 50 participants from around the world took part in the dialogue, including persons with disabilities, people living with HIV/AIDS, policy makers, civil society representatives and academics. Mr. Stephen Lewis, the former United Nations Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa and co-founder of AIDS-Free World, provided the keynote address at the opening session. The format for the dialogue included expert presentations, panel discussions and breakout group sessions. Detailed results of the dialogue will be outlined in a final report and disseminated via existing national and international networks on HIV/AIDS
and disability.

HIV/AIDS and disability is an issue that requires concrete, concerted action at all levels to address the needs of people living with disabilities and with HIV/AIDS. The dialogue strengthened and expanded the network of people working on issues related to HIV/AIDS and disability and enabled them to share resources, best practices, challenges and experiences. By raising the profile of these important issues and further mobilizing key partners, the dialogue provides a strengthened foundation for future action.

For more information, please contact Sharon Peake by e-mail, at Sharon_peake@hc-sc.gc.ca.

Update from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research

Fostering Population Health and Health Services Research

In May 2009, the CIHR HIV/AIDS Research Initiative announced the results of its Centres for Population Health and Health Services Research Development in HIV/AIDS funding competition. Through this competition, the CIHR Centre in HIV Prevention Social Research¹ and the CIHR Centre for Research Evidence into Action for Community Health in HIV/AIDS² were each awarded funding of $500,000 annually for five years to undertake the following:

• foster the national coordination of research efforts;
• develop strategic research programs, aligned with current and emerging priorities, and succeed in securing research funding through other opportunities;
• foster meaningful and collaborative relationships between researchers and with research users, such as community-based organizations, people living with HIV/AIDS, policy makers, private sector (e.g., workplace), public and voluntary sector program administrators and/or clinical and public health practitioners;
• build capacity in HIV/AIDS research by actively engaging trainees, existing HIV/AIDS investigators and researchers from complementary disciplines in the Centres’ programs;
• foster and support the translation of knowledge in various target populations to increase the impact of research on policy and practice with relevant stakeholders; and
• address Aboriginal population-specific HIV/AIDS research and knowledge translation needs.

For more information, contact Susan Lalumière by e-mail, at Susan.Lalumiere@cihr-irsc.gc.ca.

Building HIV/AIDS Research Capacity

The CIHR also announced the results of its Strategic Training Initiatives in Health Research funding competition in May 2009. Through this competition, the CIHR International Infectious Diseases and Global Health Training Program: Four Continents, One Shared Experience³ and Universities without Walls: A CIHR Training Grant in HIV/AIDS Health Research⁴ were awarded funding of $325,000 annually for six years. Each training initiative consists of a group of HIV/AIDS mentors/educators, accomplished in health research, who work collaboratively to offer a research training program of defined format and content to a group of trainees, mainly at the level of graduate and postdoctoral studies, although other training components are possible. The training programs are intended to improve the mentoring and training environment for health researchers in Canada. They will also foster collaborative, team research across disciplines and integrate training on the ethical conduct of research and related ethical issues, knowledge translation, and professional skills, such as communication, teamwork, project management and leadership.

For more information, contact Susan Lalumière by e-mail, at Susan.Lalumiere@cihr-irsc.gc.ca.

Community-based Research Program Evaluation

Through the HIV/AIDS Community-based Research (CBR) Program, the CIHR supports research that engages communities in all stages of research–from the definition of the research question, to capacity building and integration of community members in conducting research, to active participation in disseminating research results.

Last year, CIHR undertook an independent evaluation of the HIV/AIDS CBR Program to ensure it was meeting the needs of stakeholders and to provide objective information regarding future funding tools. Overall, the evaluation concluded that the program is helping communities and academia address HIV/AIDS and is building research capacity at the community level and in academic circles. In addition, the evaluation contained several recommendations to consider moving forward. The full evaluation results, including an action plan to address its recommendations, are available on the CIHR website.

For more information, contact Suzette DosSantos by e-mail, at suzette.dossantos@cihr-irsc.gc.ca.

Update from the AIDS Community Action Program
Evaluation Working Group

2007-2009 ACAP Mapping Project

A mapping exercise was completed to better understand the nature and reach of AIDS Community Action Program (ACAP) projects across the country for fiscal years 2007/2008 and 2008/2009. The results of this project will be included in the upcoming report, ACAP Evaluation 2007-2009. The following are some of the highlights of the
mapping project:

• In 2007/2008, 132 ACAP projects were funded across Canada–83 were operational and 49 were time-limited. The ACAP projects reached all eight of the vulnerable populations identified in the Federal Initiative to Address HIV/AIDS in Canada. In particular, 86 (23%) of the projects reached people living with HIV/AIDS; 54 (15%) youth at risk; and 53 (14%) women at risk.
• In 2008/2009, 129 ACAP projects were funded across Canada–83 were operational and 46 were time-limited. Four of the projects received joint funding through ACAP and the Hepatitis C Prevention, Support & Research Program. The ACAP projects reached all eight of the vulnerable populations identified in the Federal Initiative. In particular, 91 (23%) of the projects reached people living with HIV/AIDS; 50 (13%) gay men; and 43 (11%) people who inject drugs.

ACAP projects offered a variety of programs and initiatives, including prevention workshops to vulnerable populations, awareness campaigns and events, and support to people affected by, and/or living with, HIV/AIDS. Projects worked with many partners to enhance access to services and address many of the social determinants of health with the aim to improve the quality of life for people living with HIV/AIDS and those vulnerable to the disease. Projects also worked to enhance organizational capacity by providing skills-building sessions for staff and volunteers.

2007-2009 ACAP Evaluation Report

A contractor was hired in April 2009 to compile and analyze data from a variety of sources and to respond to key evaluation questions related to ACAP’s relevance, delivery, and effectiveness. In addition, this evaluation will identify evolving program needs and areas of improvement. Project level reports will provide data related to ACAP outputs and outcomes, such as the number of people reached and the change in knowledge related to prevention. A review of key documents, including statistical reports and the Public Health Agency of Canada's strategic plan, which highlights its role in addressing HIV/AIDS, will provide evidence of the program’s continued relevance. Key informant interviews and project surveys will provide evidence that will assist in responding to the aforementioned three broad issues relating to ACAP. The final report is anticipated to be released by March 31, 2010.

For more information, contact Andrea Grady by e-mail, at andrea.grady@phac-aspc.gc.ca.

Update from the Leading Together Championing Committee

Beginning in December 2008 with the launch of The Leading Together Toolkit: Putting Canada’s Action Plan on HIV/AIDS into Action, the Leading Together Championing Committee (LTCC) set the stage for an exciting year ahead.

One of the most important items on the LTCC agenda for 2009 is the renewal of Leading Together: Canada Takes Action on HIV/AIDS (2005-2010). LTCC members recognize the need to update the document to reflect the changing reality of HIV and AIDS in Canada. To help identify potential areas for revision, the LTCC will be conducting a gap analysis of the current document and a consequent updating of the text. The LTCC will be engaging stakeholders across Canada in the process through discussion at various fora, including conferences, workshops, and annual general meetings.

During a presentation to national HIV and AIDS stakeholders early this year, the LTCC sought their support regarding the use of Leading Together in their work. Stakeholders were asked to start branding activities within their organizations by linking their response to Leading Together.

Engagement with national HIV and AIDS organizations has also led to another exciting development–the Canadian AIDS Society has elected to use Leading Together as the theme for its 6^th Canadian HIV/AIDS Skills Building Symposium. The LTCC is represented by Terry Pigeon and Sharon Baxter on the advisory body for the symposium. Participants at this event will examine community responses based on needs identified in Leading Together, as well as offer input relating to the renewal process.

The Communications Working Group is preparing to update and revamp the Leading Together website to a more interactive, visual, user-friendly format that will engage stakeholders to share information. A Leading Together logo has been developed to assist the LTCC’s national partners across Canada with the branding exercise. Outreach activities and stakeholder learning opportunities are also being planned.

The World AIDS Day Working Group is initiating ideas for the communiqué the LTCC will issue on December 1, World AIDS Day (WAD). In addition to the communiqué, the LTCC is planning to sponsor an event to once again highlight Leading Together as the collective strategy for Canada’s HIV and AIDS response. LTCC members will also individually be involved in WAD observances across Canada.

In conclusion, we are pleased to announce that two new members have joined the LTCC. Jacqueline Gahagan, Professor, Health Promotion, Dalhousie University, provides a link to the Ministerial Advisory Council on the Federal Initiative to Address HIV/AIDS in Canada and brings perspective from Canada’s East Coast. Randy Jackson, a PhD student and well-known Aboriginal HIV/AIDS community-based researcher, provides the LTCC with the benefit of his many years of experience working at various levels in the HIV and AIDS movement.

For more information, contact Tanya Lary by e-mail, at tanya.lary@phac-aspc.gc.ca.

Review of Advisory and Coordination Mechanisms

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) hired a contractor to conduct a review of current and emerging needs for advice and coordination in support of the Federal Initiative to Address HIV/AIDS in Canada. As part of the review, the contractor undertook consultations with current and former members of six advisory and coordination bodies and with federal public servants actively involved in work associated with the Federal Initiative. The contractor conducted selected key informant interviews (35), including a focus group with the National Aboriginal Council on HIV/AIDS, in June/July 2009 and hosted an on-line survey available to all committee members.

The review is a forward-looking initiative intended to identify opportunities to enhance or revise the advisory and coordinating committee mechanisms and processes. These consultations do not constitute an evaluation of the work of the committees.

The six committees involved in the review are as follows:

• Ministerial Advisory Council on the Federal Initiative to Address HIV/AIDS in Canada
• National Aboriginal Council on HIV/AIDS
• National HIV/AIDS Partners Group
• Leading Together Championing Committee
• Government of Canada Assistant Deputy Minister Committee on HIV/AIDS
• Federal/Provincial/Territorial Advisory Committee on AIDS

The input from the consultations and other research will be included in a report– Summary of Findings and Conclusions–which will be circulated to committees for feedback in early September. PHAC will develop recommendations on moving forward based on this report. The expected overall outcome of the review process and subsequent PHAC response is to ensure that effective mechanisms for advice and coordination are in place to meet the current and future needs of the Federal Initiative.

For more information, contact Tanya Lary by e-mail, at tanya.lary@phac-aspc.gc.ca.

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