Since 2020, HIV self-testing (HIVST) kits have been available to Canadians through various distribution programs after being approved for use by Health Canada. In 2023, the Public Health Agency of Canada provided $8M in funding to support community-based distribution to key populations impacted by HIV. Over the following year, distribution programs employed diverse approaches to reach persons with undiagnosed HIV infection and individuals facing barriers to accessing HIV testing services. HIV self-testing provides a portable and highly accurate option for people to know their status. However, access to testing for HIV has not always been convenient or catered to the health needs of 2S/LGBTQIA+ people.
The ways in which the 2S/LGBTQIA+ community has accessed testing for HIV since the 1980s have changed significantly. Through tireless advocacy and pressure placed on policymakers and health authorities, access to testing and treatment for HIV was largely championed by the 2S/LGBTQIA+ community. This advocacy continues to this day, with organizations like the Community-Based Research Centre (CBRC) who advocate for increased access to testing services, more comprehensive sexual health education, and enhanced opportunities for community connection.
Originally hosted by CBRC on Thursday, March 21st, 2024, this webinar discusses the past, present, and future of testing for HIV in Canada. Spanning from the limited access to testing during the early days of the HIV/AIDS epidemic to emergent technologies like HIV self-testing kits and long-lasting injectable PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) that offer a promising future for the testing and prevention of HIV, this panel discussion explores a variety of topics and insights that service providers can incorporate into their practice.
Moderator: Christopher Weiss, National Programs Manager at the Canadian AIDS Society
Panelists:
- Mark Randall, Community Outreach Coordinator at Safelink Alberta
- Abbey Ferguson, Executive Director of Halifax Sexual Health Centre
- Darren Ho, Director of Health Services at Health Initiative for Men (HIM)
- Patrick O’Byrne, Full Professor of Nursing at University of Ottawa & Principal Investigator of GetaKit
This webinar was made possible with the support of the Public Health Agency of Canada. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the views of the Public Health Agency of Canada.
This webinar is currently only available in English.
url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uB3Mc2chtiQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uB3Mc2chtiQnull
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