Seek and Treat for Optimal Prevention of HIV/AIDS (STOP HIV/AIDS) will expand access to HIV/AIDS medications among hard-to-reach and vulnerable populations in Vancouver’s Downtown East Side and Prince George.

The implementation of the STOP HIV/AIDS Research Program requires close collaboration between governmental, community and academic partners in areas such as HIV testing, physician education, drug delivery, counseling and outcomes assessment. It is anticipated that the STOP HIV/AIDS Research Program will eventually be expanded to other areas of BC, under close monitoring and evaluation by the BC-CfE.

About STOP HIV/AIDS

The BC-CfE has found a compelling body of research from around the world that, taken together, shows that expanded HAART access could play an important role in reducing the transmission of HIV in a regional population and at the same time reduce HIV/AIDS-related morbidity and mortality.

This hypothetical construct motivated the BC-CfE to redevelop its research agenda under the theme of “Expanding HAART to Curb the Growth of the HIV Epidemic”. While continuing to promote traditional HIV prevention strategies, the BC-CfE proposes to expand HAART access to decrease HIV/AIDS-related mortality in BC, and, secondarily, to evaluate the impact of such expansion on the number of new infections (HIV incidence) in BC over 5 years. The latter will be evaluated as part of an internationally innovative research program to Seek and Treat for Optimal Prevention of HIV/AIDS (STOP HIV/AIDS), which has now received a US$ 2.5 million Avant Garde Award from the US National Institute of Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.

In order to facilitate this evolution of the STOP HIV/AIDS initiative, the BC-CfE, with the support of the provincial government, has initiated a concerted effort to increase HAART coverage among those in medical need based on the most recent (2008) guidelines within BC, with the special emphasis on engaging hard-to-reach individuals in Vancouver’s DTES and the Northern Health Authority.

The Vancouver Coastal Health Authority has in fact already developed a plan in which the number of HAART-eligible HIV positive individuals taking treatment would be increased by 50%. This approach was endorsed following a process of broad consultations with stakeholders, including community groups, physicians, health officials, social service agencies and addiction specialists.

The implementation of the STOP HIV/AIDS Research Program requires close collaboration between governmental, community and academic partners in areas such as HIV testing, physician education, drug delivery, counseling and outcomes assessment. It is anticipated that the STOP HIV/AIDS Research Program will eventually be expanded to other areas of BC, under close monitoring and evaluation by the BC-CfE.

Operational Budget (PDF)