Grant: Team Grant - HIV/AIDS and comorbidities - LOI

HIV/AIDS causes major disease and death worldwide as well as in Canada. The number of people living with HIV (PLWH) in Canada reached an estimated 65,000 in 2008, and some 4000 - 6000 new infections per year. PLWH suffer from complications of the disease itself, but also from various mental health and substance use (MH&SU) problems, specifically depression and alcohol abuse. Both depression and heavy drinking are at least two times higher among PLWH compared to the general population. Anti Retroviral Treatment (ART) is currently the best treatment for HIV in terms of preventing disease symptoms, HIV-related deaths, and further transmission. MH&SU problems, specifically depression and alcohol abuse, have been shown to reduce the use and effectiveness of ART. About half of PLWH in Canada are enrolled in ART. However, some marginalized groups, such as First Nations People (FNP), women, rural populations and those living in poverty, face significant barriers to accessing treatment. There is a lack of data in Canada on MH&SU problems among PLWH, and integrated interventions for these problems in standard HIV care to reduce overall HIV-related disability and death. The proposed grant will assemble an interdisciplinary team of investigators to conduct a series of interlinked studies that will explore epidemiological, neurobiological and clinical aspects - including the experimental testing of state-of-the-art pharmacotherapeutic and behavioral interventions for alcohol and depression co-morbidities - of the link between MH&SU problems and HIV disease, treatment and outcomes among PLWH in Canada. The team will collaborate with key HIV care providers, policymakers, and stakeholders to translate the project's research findings into more effective HIV care practice.