Grant: Planning Grants - Priority Announcement: Infection and Immunity

The OHTN supports innovation that will have a significant impact on the HIV epidemic in Ontario and Canada by strategically investing in HIV research that crosses jurisdictions, disciplines and sectors, and building collaborative networks among researchers, community members, policy makers and people with HIV to answer key research questions. Since 1998, the OHTN Annual Research Conference has showcased results of these collaborations and their impacts on policy and practice. The conference's purpose is to disseminate new research results to its 600 participants in a meaningful way and provide a unique opportunity for people working in the HIV sector to network and share expertise. In 2009, the conference theme will be Research at the Front Lines: Finding New Solutions in HIV Prevention, Treatment and Support. The two-day event will showcase research that examines the factors that increase vulnerability and risk for individuals and communities disproportionately affected by HIV, and the interventions that may lead to improved resiliency and health related quality of life. Using an interdisciplinary approach and working at the intersections of social science, population health and health services, the research presented at the conference will focus on: 1) Strengthening Community by understanding the problems and factors driving the epidemic - reaching beyond behaviour to explore the impact of structural factors and social determinants of health on risk, resilience, behaviour and access to health services in communities; 2) Promoting Research that finds innovative and practical solutions and takes an integrated approach to prevention, treatment and support by developing evidence based HIV interventions; 3) Driving Change by moving research evidence into action - developing effective knowledge transfer and exchange strategies and networks and assessing measurable impact on policy and practice. OHTN would like to be considered for CIHR HIV AIDS Research Initiative.