MEDIA RELEASE

OTTAWA, October 17, 2005 - Today, the Canadian AIDS Society (CAS) stands in solidarity with organizations around the globe, to fight poverty. “We need to be clear - HIV/AIDS is not just a health issue,” said Paul Lapierre, executive director of CAS. “If we want to stop new infections, if we want to increase the health and quality of life for those who live with the illness, then we need address the social and economic factors that are driving the epidemic in Canada.” One issue that CAS has taken on is poverty. As part of this global fight, CAS is launching the HIV and Poverty in Canada web site. Community organizations, media and policy makers can access fact sheets, tool kits, and other resources to help them understand how poverty and HIV are connected, and how they can integrate this issue into their work.

In response to the increase in new infections, CAS is raising awareness about the role that poverty plays in HIV transmission. “HIV prevention isn’t just about handing out condoms, it’s about making sure that people have a roof over their head and food on their table,” said Gail Flintoft, chair of the board of directors. “It’s hard to think about your sexual health or to seek support for a substance problem if you’re worried about finding your next meal or trying to pay your rent.”

Once someone is infected with the HIV, they are at risk of the downward drift into poverty. The cost of HIV treatment, side effects and basic over-the-counter medications results in thousands of dollars in expenses per month. When these expenses are combined with the cost of full-time childcare, and only a minimum-wage job to cover the costs, it is impossible to make ends meet. Many healthy individuals are forced onto social assistance programs just so they can qualify for the provincial pharmacare program. For those whose poor health forces them out of work, living on an income from CPP disability and/or provincial support programs means depending on food banks and community supports in order to simply survive.

As part of a two year project, CAS has been travelling across Canada, interviewing people living with HIV about what it is like to live on a public support program. “Everyone’s story is the same. Clients are using their food allowance to cover their rent because of the lack of affordable housing. They’re showing up at food banks or going without, and they’re not getting the basic nutrition they need to be healthy. For people who have friends and family who occasionally help them out with groceries or cash, there is the constant fear that they will be targeted for fraud,” added Flintoft. “Many people say that their health is a second or third priority, because they’re spending all of their time just trying to get by.” Fact sheets, reports and action plans relating to this project will be available for download on the web site.

The web site can be accessed at www.HIVandPoverty.ca

The Canadian AIDS Society (CAS) is a coalition of over 128 community-based AIDS organizations across Canada. The CAS mandate is to speak as a national voice and act as a forum for a community-based response to HIV infection, as well as to advocate for persons so affected.

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Mark Creighan, Media Relations

Tel.: (613) 230-3580 ext. 122 or Cell: (613) 724-9540

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