OTTAWA - A report released today by the Public Health Agency of Canada indicates that the number of people living with HIV in Canada continues to rise, due to the fact that HIV treatments have improved survival while new infections continue to occur. The latest information shows an estimated 58,000 people are living with HIV, up from 50,000 in 2002.
The 2005 estimates on HIV in Canada provide insight by including estimates of the number of undiagnosed cases of HIV and AIDS. Regularly collected surveillance data are based on the number of HIV and AIDS cases reported. As a result, surveillance data underestimate the HIV epidemic and do not completely represent the number of people infected with HIV or the number infected each year.
According to the Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. David Butler-Jones, it appears that the number of new HIV infections is about the same (2,300 to 4,500), or slightly greater than the number in 2002 (2,100 to 4,000). “These trends are not new. They have been seen in our previous estimates and also, in part, by stakeholders in Canada and in other developed countries.”
Based on the estimates, public health scientists are able to identify certain groups that are at higher risk of contracting HIV, relative to other Canadians. The estimates also provide a better understanding of how these groups have been, and continue to be, affected by HIV since the beginning of the epidemic.
“These estimates tell us that HIV/AIDS remains an issue of significant concern for Canada,” says Health Minister Tony Clement. “While much progress has been made in fighting HIV and AIDS, our government continues to support targeted programs for people who are most vulnerable. As part of our strategy for improving the health and quality of life of all Canadians, we need to look at how best to target current and continued federal investments."
Minister Clement says that the scientific, program and policy ideas that will be generated at the International AIDS Conference in Toronto (August 13–18) will help inform the Government of Canada in the future on how to manage the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Canada. “In preparation for taking an active role at the International AIDS Conference, I plan to begin the exchange of ideas with HIV/AIDS stakeholders and representatives and will meet with them later this week.”
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Backgrounders:
The State of the HIV/AIDS Epidemic in Canada
Government of Canada's Domestic HIV/AIDS Role
Estimates of the number of people living with HIV in Canada, 2005
Media Inquiries:
Alain Desroches
Public Health Agency of Canada
(613) 948-7970
