HIV Programs Don’t Reach Aboriginal Women
Printer-friendly versionEven though aboriginal people living in Canada represent more than 3 per cent of the country's total population, they represent more than three times that number in prevalent HIV infections and are the most vulnerable population in Canada to test positive for HIV. Public Health Agency of Canada reports that Aboriginal people represented 27.3 per cent of positive HIV test reports in 2006, a 4.1 per cent-increase from 2005.
Aboriginal women living with HIV/AIDS account for a quarter of the infections in Canada, and half of the infections among Aboriginal people. One form of support described by the report was a recognition of cultural and linguistic diversity and the need for targeted programs that serve a specific population (i.e., need for services specific to substance users).
"The Influence of Stigma on Access to Health Services by Persons with HIV Illness," recently released, was funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.
Read the The Influence of Stigma on Access to Health Services by Persons with HIV Illness.(pdf)
The Canadian Women's Health Network and the Centres of Excellence for Women's Health program are financially supported by Health Canada through the Women's Health Contribution Program. The views herein do not necessarily represent the official policy of Health Canada.