Revitalizing the CCDR

Volume 39-1, November 29, 2013

Notes From the Editor

CCDR is changing

PHAC's flagship publication on infectious diseases is being revitalized. During the last few years the Canada Communicable Disease Report (CCDR) has focused on Advisory Committee statements and FluWatch, the Public Health Agency's influenza surveillance report. This year the Agency made revitalizing the CCDR a priority. Over the past few months we have formed an Editorial Office and an Editorial Board.

Our goal is to provide practical and timely information on infectious diseases in Canada for both public health and health care professionals. To date, we've made three changes:

• First, we are developing theme issues. Today's edition focuses on HIV/AIDS, in time for World AIDS Day, December 1st. Our theme issues will "tell a story". For example, here we reflect on: What are the best practices for HIV screening now and how have we advanced our understanding of HIV transmission?
• Second, CCDR will now features Briefs. These are short articles that summarize longer, more definitive guidance documents. Our Briefs will give you a quick and useful overview and provide a link to the full document.
• Third, we are starting a "Useful Links" section which points to additional information on the Agency website. In this issue, we identify some recent HIV surveillance data in Canada on specific groups of people with HIV/AIDS, namely aboriginal persons and women.

We are planning 22 biweekly issues for 2014 – with a couple of pauses during the winter holidays and summer break. Sign up for an email subscription.

We have many great upcoming articles and more features planned, so stay tuned. We welcome your feedback.

Patricia Huston MD, MPH
Scientific Editor