HIV/HCV Think Tank
The challenges in accessing treatment, care and support for people co-infected with HIV and hepatitis C in Ontario are numerous and span the gamut of the social determinants of health. Issues range from inadequate housing and poverty, to isolation from multiple social stigmas to mental health and addiction issues.
To address these and other issues, The Ontario HIV Treatment Network, along with the Canadian Treatment Access Council, and the AIDS Bureau and Hepatitis C Secretariat of the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, hosted a province-wide think tank on treatment, care and support of HIV and Hepatitis C co-infected people in Ontario. The multidisciplinary event brought together diverse interests from across the Ontario and Canada to learn, share and brainstorm ideas and solutions to the challenges facing those who are living with HIV/HCV co-infections.
A thematic summary of the event can be found below:
- Integration and partnerships
- Clinical capacity
- Specificity of information
- Funding
- Stigma and discrimination
- Education and information
- Prevention
- Research
- Treatment
- Support
- Inclusion
The think tank concluded with the announcement of the creation of a provincial HIV/HCV co-infection taskforce. The taskforce will work to expand on and implement the findings of the think tank.