North American HIV/AIDS Summit emphasizes importance of housing in HIV
prevention and care

Toronto, Canada: June 2 to 4, 2010

TORONTO, May 27 /CNW/ - The Ontario HIV Treatment Network (OHTN) is hosting the North American HIV/AIDS and Housing Research Summit V from June 2-4, 2010 at Toronto's Courtyard Marriott Hotel. Canada is playing host to this important conference for the first time.

"The research is becoming increasingly clear: housing - or lack of housing - plays a key role in the HIV epidemic and in health disparities," said Sean B. Rourke, Scientific and Executive Director at the OHTN and Scientist with St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto. "At the summit, we will examine how housing issues and programs affect the health of people with HIV and people at risk. Attendees will learn about steps they can take to bring about real change."

The North American HIV/AIDS and Housing Research Summit focuses on the newest research and programs on HIV, housing and health. The theme of this year's summit is "Evidence into Action: Housing is HIV Prevention and Care." Researchers, policy experts, consumers and providers of housing and HIV/AIDS services from across North America will gather in Toronto to explore complex and contentious issues such as:

    
    -   What are the housing needs of people with HIV and AIDS?

    -   What is the cost of ensuring people with HIV and AIDS have stable
        housing compared to the cost of unmet housing needs?

    -   How can we help the most vulnerable people with HIV and AIDS,
        including Aboriginal peoples, street involved youth, former
        prisoners, and people with mental health issues?

    -   What is the connection between new research on HIV and eligibility
        for targeted housing programs?
    

Speakers include:

Deb Matthews, Ontario Minister of Health & Long-Term Care and champion of Ontario's poverty strategy, highlights provincial initiatives to improve the quality of life of people with HIV.

Mercedes Marquez, Assistant Secretary of Community Planning and Development in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, reflects on how the Obama administration will promote housing as a platform to improve quality of life for people living with HIV/AIDS.

Libby Davies, Member of Parliament for Vancouver East and sponsor of Bill C-304 for a National Housing Strategy, now before Parliament, reviews Canada's progress towards a national housing strategy. Is Canada moving in the right direction on housing and health?

Other presentation highlights include:

    
    -   Innovative housing models for people with HIV/AIDS

    -   Strategies to motivate governments to turn evidence into action

    -   Compelling new research demonstrating the impact - and the cost
        effectiveness - of providing adequate housing on HIV prevention
    

For the full Summit Program & Agenda visit: http://www.hivhousingsummit.org/frmProgram.aspx

For information about the Ontario HIV Treatment Network: www.ohtn.on.ca

    
    Conference location:
    Marriott Courtyard Hotel
    475 Yonge Street (one block north of College Street)
    

For further information: Media Contact: Jacquie Menezes, Manager, Media Relations, Phone: [phone], E-Mail: [email protected]; Conference Contact: Roxanne Ali, Knowledge Translation & Exchange Coordinator, Phone: [phone] x 2215, E-mail: [email protected]; Alternate Media Contact: Melanie Mayoh, Research and Knowledge Transfer & Exchange Coordinator, Phone: [phone], Email: [email protected]