Grant: Doctoral: Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships

Current HIV treatment, known as antiretroviral therapy, has successfully reduced illness and death among HIV-infected individuals for over one decade. However, an increasing body of evidence suggests that food insecurity and malnutrition may have a significant adverse impact on HIV patient treatment outcomes. Few studies have been conducted on this topic worldwide. In order to ensure that patient outcomes are optimized in Canada and internationally, there is an urgent need to understand the effect of food insecurity and malnutrition on HIV progression and mortality. The British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS (BC-CfE) is one of Canada's leading clinical, laboratory and epidemiological research centres. It manages the procurement and distribution of anti-HIV drugs for all HIV-positive people in the province. The proposed research aims to assess the impact of food insecurity and malnutrition on survival, immunological status and virological change among patients receiving HIV treatment in BC. The research will draw upon the BC-CfE's expertise in molecular biology, clinical care, statistic and epidemiological analysis. It will be conducted in close collaboration with HIV-related community-based organizations. Findings from this study will be widely disseminated to academic audiences through publication in peer-reviewed journals; to clinical and policy audiences through publication in the BC-CfE's monthly newsletter; and to community groups through stakeholder meetings. Study findings from the proposed project will be relevant to public health managers and clinicians throughout Canada. It will contribute to the Canadian government's federal aim of promoting evidence-based medicine and of providing optimal treatment and support to people living with HIV/AIDS.