Grant: Knowledge Translation Supplement

In 2006 CIHR funded the ACCESS cohort, a prospective cohort study investigating and addressing barriers to HIV and HCV care among injection drug users in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. The primary goal of the study was to determine the health needs of HIV-positive injection drug users and investigate behaviors that contribute to or prevent the ongoing transmission of HIV from this population to others. ACCESS has more than 750 participants that were followed semi-annually for the 5 years of CIHR funding. Data from the cohort allowed researchers to identify the impacts of a range of policies and programs on uptake and effectiveness of HIV treatment and HIV risk behavior among this population, and has contributed to the public health response to the HIV epidemic internationally. During the 5 years of CIHR support we published more than 60 papers in leading medical journals such as CMAJ, BMJ, Lancet and JAMA. The cohort infrastructure also supported the training of a large number of medical and graduate students, and the research from the investigators and trainees has been presented in a large range of academic venues. Despite our academic productivity, our research findings have not always translated into meaningful policy change or program delivery. To ensure the full potential of our past CIHR support is realized, we plan to use proven KT strategies such as: (a) creating research briefs, info sheets, newsletters and posters describing our research findings; (b) disseminating research results electronically and via printed plain language reports; (c) contributing to the science of KT by fully evaluating KT activities specific to HIV and illicit drug use research and policy development; and (d) impacting upon policy by working with policy-makers, health authorities and affected communities. Through these dedicated KT efforts our research can help inform evidence-based policies that can effectively respond to the international HIV epidemic among this population.