Grant: CIHR Café Scientifique Program

Public awareness of HIV/AIDS-related health issues is crucial in preventing the spread of the virus. Although this infection continues to affect millions of people worldwide, HIV/AIDS education and the development and availability of new therapies has allowed us to make substantial improvements in patient outcomes, long-term survival, and limiting the spread of HIV. Diagnosis with HIV/AIDS is not always a death sentence due to the therapies available for HIV+ individuals, and this may result in a false sense of security that might further reduce HIV testing rates and condom use. HIV researchers and policymakers are rarely in a position to communicate clearly and openly with the general public, and this void is typically filled by either the mainstream or alternative media. While capable of reaching a large number of individuals, these sources of information often are often confusing, inappropriate, or oversimplified. Agencies such as the Ontario HIV Treatment Network (OHTN) have recognized the need for public engagement through their support of research programs, and organizations such as the Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange (CATIE) act as a valuable source of information for the HIV+ community, but may lack in engagement of the general public. Researchers, clinicians, health officials, and reporters communicate science research in order to achieve different goals, and it is often difficult for the layperson to place such findings into the proper context when it comes to their health. This often leaves the public in a poor position to understand the current understanding of HIV and what reasonable expectations of treatment/cure exist. The purposes of this Café are to provide an opportunity for the researchers, clinicians, health officials, and reporters to discuss their own work with the general public, to discuss recent HIV/AIDS research of great public interest, and to help explain how the public can interpret health-related news.