Reality Check: HIV/AIDS in the age of antiretroviral drug therapy
Monday, November 19, 2012, 7 p.m.
La Nouvelle Scène
333 King Edward Ave., Ottawa
RSVP: cafescientifique@cihr-irsc.gc.ca
The discovery of advanced antiretroviral drug therapy radically helped people living with HIV. An infection that was once deemed a death sentence began to look more like a chronic, yet manageable condition. However, evidence has shown that people undergoing treatment can experience a host of complications and challenges.
Furthermore, HIV/AIDS is still a global threat. Last year, the World Health Organization estimated that 2.5 million more people became infected with the disease. In Canada, 2,358 positive HIV tests were reported in 2010, and about 45% were from Ontario residents. It’s estimated that 26% of Canadians living with HIV/AIDS are unaware of their infection.
So it’s time for a reality check. While antiretrovirals are helping HIV-positive people live longer, they haven’t erased the disease. Join us for a discussion to increase your awareness of the latest in HIV research, the problems associated with antiretroviral treatments, and the challenges that exists for those who are HIV positive.
This free event is presented by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (HIV/AIDS Research Initiative), in partnership with the Canadian AIDS Society and the Canadian Association for HIV Research. Space is limited.
Experts:
Jonathan Angel, MD, FRCPC
Professor of Medicine, University of Ottawa
Director, HIV Clinic, The Ottawa Hospital
Louise Balfour, PhD
Associate Professor, Division of Infectious Diseases
Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa
Clinical Health Psychologist, HIV Clinic, The Ottawa Hospital
J.J. (Jay) Koornstra
Executive Director
Bruce House
Moderator:
Monique Doolittle-Romas
Chief Executive Officer
Canadian AIDS Society