HIV and AIDS
The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is the virus that causes
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). HIV severely weakens
the immune system, leaving people vulnerable to many different
types of infections and diseases. HIV is transmitted through:
- Unprotected sexual intercourse;
- Needle-sharing; and
- Pregnancy, delivery and through breast feeding (from an infected
mother to her infant).
While there are a number of efforts worldwide to identify an effective
vaccine, medical science has not, to date, found a cure for AIDS. AIDS
is fatal.
Medications can enhance the quality of life of people living with
HIV/AIDS, and many live full lives years beyond their initial HIV
diagnosis.
Health Canada 's First Nations and Inuit Health Branch is actively
engaged in working to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic among on-reserve
First Nations people and in Inuit communities across Canada. We
support communities in developing the knowledge, skills, and tools
they need to prevent HIV transmission and to facilitate care and
support for those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.
Through the Canadian Strategy on HIV/AIDS (CSHA), Health Canada
provides funding to communities and Aboriginal AIDS organizations
to help them prevent the disease and develop outreach programs
which reflect their culture. You can learn more about the projects
and activities from the CSHA by reading our 2003-2004
HIV/AIDS Work Plan.
Are First Nations and Inuit populations more at risk?
Although incidence (new HIV infections among the total population)
has gone down in the Canadian population, it appears that HIV rates
have been steadily increasing in First Nations and Inuit populations.
They are at increased risk for HIV infections for several reasons.
Social, economic, and behavioural factors such as poverty, substance
use, including injection drug use, sexually transmitted diseases,
and limited access to health services, have increased their vulnerability.
Facts on HIV and AIDS in First Nations and Inuit Populations
Aboriginal people in Canada continue to be over-represented in
the HIV epidemic:
- Although they represent only 3.3% of the Canadian population,
Aboriginal persons comprised 5-8% of prevalent infections (persons
currently living with HIV infection in Canada ) and 6-12% of
new HIV infections in Canada in 2002 ;
- Injection drug use continues to be a key mode of HIV transmission
in the Aboriginal community;
- HIV/AIDS has a significant impact on Aboriginal women; and
- Aboriginal people are being infected with HIV at a younger
age compared to non-Aboriginal persons.
AIDS is now as pre-eminent in the Aboriginal population as it
is in the general population.
- 87.8 percent (16,986) of the total reported AIDS cases in Canada
(19,344) have information on ethnicity (1979 to December 31,
2003);
- 520 of these cases were among Aboriginal peoples;
- According to this information, Aboriginal peoples make up 3.1
percent of reported AIDS cases; and
- According to the 2001 Census, Aboriginal peoples make up 3.3
percent of the Canadian population.
Additional Information
 Review
of the Non-Reserve First Nations, Inuit and Métis Communities
HIV/AIDS Project Fund
Aboriginal
Health and Community Development
HIV/AIDS
Among Aboriginal Peoples in Canada: A Continuing Concern
HIV/AIDS
Epi Notes (information on HIV/AIDS among Aboriginal peoples)
For more information on HIV/AIDS, refer to Health
Canada 's HIV and AIDS section.
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