Nutrition
The new Canada Food Guide highlights the biggest obstacle to healthy eating—poverty (MacLean’s)
“According to 2018 Ottawa Health Unit data, a family of four on Ontario Works had $1,014 a month left to spend after rent. The cost of a nutritious food basket was $868, leaving only $146 to cover all other expenses, including transportation, clothing and utilities.”
Hepatitis C
Barriers to HCV treatment access from the drug user’s point of view: stigma, complex lives and damaged veins (AIDSmap)
” Despite access to hepatitis C treatment, many people who inject drugs still perceive numerous barriers to starting treatment, including the attitudes of healthcare workers, the difficulty of juggling treatment with competing demands, a lack of support to navigate the healthcare system and problems with blood tests due to damaged veins…”
Stigma
Full Disclosure: HIV Shame at the Dentist (POZ)
” The page flipping abruptly stopped. The room went silent. I glanced over at Lisa [, the hygienist.] … She was in freeze-frame staring down at the clipboard holding my forms, a George Segal sculpture. Not looking at me, she said, “You’re HIV-positive?” She asked the question in the register one might ask, “You’re a convicted felon?”
Choosing to be a survivor: Why this man with HIV is sharing his story (CBC)
“Cashmore says the stigma still exists for people living with HIV and AIDS. He says he gets mixed reactions when he tells people he is HIV positive. “I’ve been assaulted for it,” he said. “I’ve literally had people punch me in the face when I’ve told them.”
Housing
How to ensure every Canadian in need is safely housed by 2030 (iPolitics)
“There’s no reason why all people living in Canada cannot have the dignity and security of a place to call home.” [Note: Jeff Morrison, author or this article, is a former member of the Bruce House Board of Directors and is the lead in planning the annual National Capital Pride Run.]
Non-Profit Sector
Ontario Trillium Foundation $15M cut to make ‘significant difference’ to non-profit organization, charities (CBC)
“… there are about 58,000 non-profit organizations and charities in the province and many of them are concerned about the uncertainty of what will happen moving forward.”
HIV & Aging
As the number of seniors living with HIV grows, researchers examine how to better care for them (Vancouver Star)
” With half the people currently on HIV treatment in B.C. being age 50 or over, compared to only 10 per cent just two decades ago, according to the Centre for Excellence, the need for home and residential care is becoming more urgent. ”