2017-2018
News Release
REF NO.: 30
SUBJECT: World AIDS Day research announcement
DATE: November 30, 2017
Note to editors:
Members of the media are invited to attend a news conference on World AIDS Day, Friday, Dec. 1.
Results of Memorial University's School of Pharmacy APPROACH research study will be shared and the AIDS Committee of Newfoundland and Labrador (ACNL) will announce its five-year work plan, Getting To Zero – meaning zero deaths, zero new infections and zero stigma.
The APPROACH Study launched on Valentine’s Day by offering free HIV testing in select Newfoundland and Labrador and Alberta pharmacies for a six-month period.
The study’s findings indicated that a pharmacy-based testing model for HIV testing is feasible and effective in reaching a particularly vulnerable segment of the population who may be at risk for HIV and who have never been tested.
Memorial’s Drs. Debbie Kelly and Jason Kielly, co-principal investigators, and a team of researchers received a grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research's HIV Implementation Science (Component 1) to complete the work.
Overcoming barriers, improving accessibility
HIV testing in Newfoundland and Labrador is currently available through family doctors, sexual health clinics or in hospitals.
For those living outside the St. John’s area or without a family doctor, obtaining an HIV test is more challenging. Other barriers include privacy concerns and the perceived stigma of asking about or making an appointment to receive a test.
“Getting tested is more important than ever because people who have HIV can live long and healthy lives, as long as they know they’ve been infected and they are linked to care,” said Dr. Kelly.
Overcoming barriers, improving accessibility
HIV testing in Newfoundland and Labrador is currently available through family doctors, sexual health clinics or in hospitals.
For those living outside the St. John’s area or without a family doctor, obtaining an HIV test is more challenging. Other barriers include privacy concerns and the perceived stigma of asking about or making an appointment to receive a test.
“Getting tested is more important than ever because people who have HIV can live long and healthy lives, as long as they know they’ve been infected and they are linked to care,” said Dr. Kelly.
Community collaboration
Gerard Yetman, executive director, ACNL, has been working with community partners and with Memorial University’s School of Pharmacy to increase awareness of the importance of testing for HIV.
“This study is very important and will have great impact on the health system’s ability to provide access to testing, especially in rural areas,” he said.
The news conference will take place on Friday, Dec. 1, at 10 a.m. at the AIDS Committee of Newfoundland and Labrador offices, 47 Janeway Pl., in St. John’s.
For more information on the APPROACH Study, please visit online.
REF NO.: 30
SUBJECT: World AIDS Day research announcement
DATE: November 30, 2017
Note to editors:
Members of the media are invited to attend a news conference on World AIDS Day, Friday, Dec. 1.
Results of Memorial University's School of Pharmacy APPROACH research study will be shared and the AIDS Committee of Newfoundland and Labrador (ACNL) will announce its five-year work plan, Getting To Zero – meaning zero deaths, zero new infections and zero stigma.
The APPROACH Study launched on Valentine’s Day by offering free HIV testing in select Newfoundland and Labrador and Alberta pharmacies for a six-month period.
The study’s findings indicated that a pharmacy-based testing model for HIV testing is feasible and effective in reaching a particularly vulnerable segment of the population who may be at risk for HIV and who have never been tested.
Memorial’s Drs. Debbie Kelly and Jason Kielly, co-principal investigators, and a team of researchers received a grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research's HIV Implementation Science (Component 1) to complete the work.
Overcoming barriers, improving accessibility
HIV testing in Newfoundland and Labrador is currently available through family doctors, sexual health clinics or in hospitals.
For those living outside the St. John’s area or without a family doctor, obtaining an HIV test is more challenging. Other barriers include privacy concerns and the perceived stigma of asking about or making an appointment to receive a test.
“Getting tested is more important than ever because people who have HIV can live long and healthy lives, as long as they know they’ve been infected and they are linked to care,” said Dr. Kelly.
Overcoming barriers, improving accessibility
HIV testing in Newfoundland and Labrador is currently available through family doctors, sexual health clinics or in hospitals.
For those living outside the St. John’s area or without a family doctor, obtaining an HIV test is more challenging. Other barriers include privacy concerns and the perceived stigma of asking about or making an appointment to receive a test.
“Getting tested is more important than ever because people who have HIV can live long and healthy lives, as long as they know they’ve been infected and they are linked to care,” said Dr. Kelly.
Community collaboration
Gerard Yetman, executive director, ACNL, has been working with community partners and with Memorial University’s School of Pharmacy to increase awareness of the importance of testing for HIV.
“This study is very important and will have great impact on the health system’s ability to provide access to testing, especially in rural areas,” he said.
The news conference will take place on Friday, Dec. 1, at 10 a.m. at the AIDS Committee of Newfoundland and Labrador offices, 47 Janeway Pl., in St. John’s.
For more information on the APPROACH Study, please visit online.
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