CATIE Blog | Page 17 | HIV and hepatitis C news and opinions

Connecting: A new resource for frontline harm reduction workers

June 14, 2021 • By Denise Beaumont

“I guess the term ‘quick reference’ is standing out in my mind, like something that’s very, very fast. Because if it’s too wordy I’m not going to have any time ─ something that is like a frequently asked questions kind of thing. A very quick and easy way to get the answer immediately, you know.” – frontline harm reduction worker in Ontario When frontline harm reduction staff were asked to describe the most effective resources to support them in their work with people who use drugs, they were clear about what they needed. The Best Practice Recommendations for Canadian Harm...

Making health equity a priority: Ensuring secure and dignified access to COVID-19 vaccines

May 31, 2021 • By Nadjla Banaei

It is estimated that there are up to 500,000 undocumented residents in Canada, many of whom are Ontario residents. Many of these individuals are our neighbours, colleagues, friends, childcare providers and essential workers, including healthcare heroes working the front lines. They are valuable members of our society who contribute in various ways including, but not limited to, paying taxes, maintaining our food supply, taking care of our children and elderly and supporting our healthcare system. Despite Toronto being named a sanctuary city, we live in a city and province that continues to exclude migrants and undocumented residents from many basic...

The elimination of viral hepatitis in Canada: Where are we now and where can we go?

May 20, 2021 • By Shannon Elliot

At the last Canadian Liver Meeting in 2020, there was a palpable sense of optimism about the prospect of eliminating hepatitis C in Canada. Researchers, service providers and community members launched a blueprint outlining our collective goals and possible strategies, and we shared evidence from research and practice to guide policy and programs. Then the COVID-19 pandemic happened. It had an enormous impact on our sector, with services scaled back, researchers and clinicians shifted to the COVID-19 response, and the communities most affected by hepatitis C also facing increased risks from COVID-19 and a growing overdose crisis.

Here’s how service providers can support immigrants and newcomers during COVID-19

May 10, 2021 • By Meghan Perrin and Christopher Hoy

This April 2021, the Alliance for Healthier Communities and CATIE hosted a webinar on community health approaches to supporting immigrants and newcomers in Ontario during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our speakers explored how inequities have a pronounced impact on immigrants and newcomers during the pandemic, and what frontline workers can do to mitigate these impacts. Here are five key takeaways shared during the webinar that service providers can implement now.

In the U=U era, how do we talk about the prevention benefits of HIV treatment beyond sex?

April 28, 2021 • By Mallory Harrigan

While the U=U message has been getting a lot of momentum in recent years, the role of HIV treatment in preventing HIV through other transmission routes is not as widely known. This information is important for informed healthcare decision making and further destigmatizing HIV.

HIV prevention during the COVID-19 pandemic: How it started, how it’s going

April 28, 2021 • By Mia Biondi and Kody Muncaster

Now, more than a year after the first Canadian COVID-19 case, we are struggling not just with a second, simultaneous pandemic in addition to HIV/AIDS, which has resulted in a change in the way people connect, engage in sexual activity and seek healthcare. This has an impact on how people access and take PrEP and has created a whole new set of challenges to address.