We acknowledge that the landscape surrounding HIV/AIDS is constantly shifting – with significant medical progress improving diagnosis, transmission, and longevity outcomes. These outcomes benefit privileged communities, and our organization is responding to the growing needs of vulnerable people who continue to face significant harms from HIV/AIDS. As an intentional response, CAS is moving in a strategic direction beyond the diagnosis and treatment priorities that have characterized our sector. More specifically our organization is targeting: 

• The socio-economic factors associated with higher rates of HIV transmission 

• The psycho-social factors associated with higher rates of HIV transmission 

• The wellbeing of individuals living with HIV/AIDS 

• The Canadian AIDS Society works at the intersections where people are disproportionately impacted by HIV/AIDS. 

With this in mind, we are intending to prioritize, People who are Precariously Housed, People who use drugs, and Newcomers, migrants and refugees to Canada. 

Intent – When using a structure for networks such as provinces or regions, it creates a large focus that can be meaningful for some and not for others. By creating networks based on priority populations, determinants of health or health inequities such as homelessness, substance use or newcomer communities, it allows organizations to connect on a more meaningful level. 

1. People who use drugs; (over 16% of new HIV infections are from people who use drugs) 
2. People who are homeless;(overrepresented in remote/rural diagnoses of HIV and experience further barriers to access to care and continued care but not seen as a priority by government within HIV related funding opportunities)
3. Newcomers to Canada (Experience significant issues with access to care) 

Priority setting – These networks provided an opportunity to share meaningful practices or programs from your organizations. CAS has provided an analysis of potential or current meaningful strategies in the report below. Gathered information that can be used to form campaigns. 

Objectives – To develop reports for the purpose of information sharing on successful practices, continual awareness and education on current issues facing various populations. 

Expected outcomes – The ability to develop advocacy campaigns and federal, provincial and territorial FTP.  

Priority Setting 

1. People Who Use Drugs,  
2. People experiencing houselessness,  
3. Newcomers, migrants and refugees,   
4. Women