L-R: Dr. Michael Allard (Vice-Dean, Health Engagement, UBC Medicine), Dr. Jeannie Shoveller (Chairperson of the CIHR Governing Council), Dr. Aslam Anis (CTN National Director), The Honourable Hedy Fry (MP, Vancouver Centre), Dr. Melanie Murray (CTN Investigator), Mr. Darren Lausher (CTN Community Advisory Committee)
News release
June 26, 2019 — Vancouver, BC — Canadian Institutes of Health Research
More than 35 years after HIV was first discovered, the virus remains a pressing threat to global health, with an ever-growing number of people infected and a need for access to life-saving treatments.
Today, the Honourable Hedy Fry, Member of Parliament for Vancouver Centre, on behalf of the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Health, announced an investment of $22.85 million in HIV/AIDS research from the Government of Canada, through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).
This investment supports the renewal of the CIHR Canadian HIV Trials Network (CTN). This group has, since 1990, been supporting a thriving community of researchers, people living with HIV and their caregivers, health advocates, and pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to generate knowledge about prevention, treatment, management, and a cure for HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections.
Their findings and tools will contribute to the global search for safe and effective ways to improve the health of our populations.
To maximize their impact and ensure better health outcomes for Canadians, the CTN will work collaboratively with national and international networks and partners. For example, they will create an inclusive environment of HIV research capacity from across disciplines, sectors, and perspectives by engaging HIV basic scientists, clinical investigators, knowledge users, community members, people at risk and people living with HIV.
MP Fry made the announcement at the CTN’s National Centre in St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver, British Columbia. During her visit, she met with researchers and people with lived experience to learn about their projects and hear their stories.
Quotes
“Investments in HIV research are essential to continuing the creation of scientific knowledge that will translate into the most effective prevention strategies and treatment for Canadians living with and affected by HIV. The recipients being celebrated today should be proud of their work as it holds tremendous potential to save lives. Thank you for your innovative approaches and to building a healthier Canada.”
The Honourable Hedy Fry, Member of Parliament for Vancouver Centre
“I commend the researchers whose efforts aim at reducing the spread of HIV and ultimately eliminating it altogether. HIV is a complicated, chronic health condition that has negative health implications and carries the challenge of stigma associated with HIV-positive status for those infected. CIHR salutes the proposed collaborative efforts to harness new technologies and leverage opportunities to better integrate prevention, research and care, which should help meet the complex needs of individuals across the lifespan.”
Dr. Charu Kaushic, Scientific Director of CIHR’s Institute of Infection and Immunity
“With CIHR’s on-going support, the CTN will continue to play a key role in helping reach the UNAIDS 90/90/90 targets for HIV, globally. To achieve these goals, the CTN will strive to engage with Indigenous and other underrepresented populations, will focus on the health care needs of an aging HIV population, and will contribute to the advancement of effective prevention strategies.”
Dr. Aslam Anis, CTN National Director
Quick Facts
- Today’s announcement is funded by the CIHR HIV/AIDS Research Initiative, which is the research arm of the Federal Initiative to Address HIV/AIDS in Canada. It invests $21 million each year to support research, capacity building and knowledge translation activities in four key areas: biomedical and clinical research; health services and population health research; community-based research; and the CTN.
- With this latest investment, CIHR has provided around $100 million to the CTN, a central feature of the national response to the HIV epidemic, since 2001.
- The CTN’s National Centre is hosted by the Centre for Health Evaluation and Outcomes Sciences (CHÉOS), and is supported by UBC Faculty of Medicine, Providence Health Care, and Providence Health Care Research Institute.
- There are more than 63,000 people in Canada living with HIV and 2,165 people become newly infected each year, according to the Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research.
Associated Links
- Federal Initiative to Address HIV/AIDS in Canada
- CIHR HIV/AIDS Research Advisory Committee (CHARAC)
- CIHR Canadian HIV Trials Network (CTN)
Contacts
Media Relations
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
613-941-4563
mediarelations@cihr-irsc.gc.ca
Thierry Bélair
Office of Ginette Petitpas Taylor
Minister of Health
613-957-0200
At the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) we know that research has the power to change lives. As Canada’s health research investment agency, we collaborate with partners and researchers to support the discoveries and innovations that improve our health and strengthen our health care system.
