Fact Sheet: Increasing Awareness and Education of HIV and AIDS in the York Region
March 21, 2012
NEWMARKET, Ontario – On behalf of the Minister of Health Leona Aglukkaq, Lois Brown, Member of Parliament for Newmarket-Aurora, today announced support for a community-based project to raise awareness and visibility of the impact of HIV in the region.
“By supporting this project, high-risk populations in York Region will see improved access to relevant information and resources focused on HIV prevention and transmission,” said Lois Brown. “Our government is pleased to be working with the AIDS Committee of York Region on a project that is bringing us one step closer in our fight against this disease.”
Through an awareness campaign and community education activities like prevention workshops, tailored outreach materials and social media sites, the “Community HIV Engagement Project” will increase knowledge and improve the quality of life of people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS in the York Region.
“These investments will help us work towards our goal of helping those living with and affected by HIV or AIDS to overcome social, economic and service challenges so they can lead an informed, healthy and empowered lifestyle,” said Marnie Sigmar, Board Chair at the AIDS Committee of York Region.
This investment is part of the more than $72 million that the Government of Canada is currently investing through the Federal Initiative to Address HIV/AIDS in Canada. A large portion of these funds assist community-based projects like this one to:
- prevent the acquisition and transmission of new infections;
- slow the progression of the disease and improve quality of life; and
- reduce the social and economic impact of HIV/AIDS.
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