Category: Advocacy, Policy, Public Health

Check It Out – Sex in the time of COVID-19: preliminary survey results

Posted On: Monday, November 23rd, 2020

The Digital Sexual Health Initiative (DiSHI) describes themselves as “a group of researchers, program leaders, and policy-makers that have been working together since 2009 on studies about the individual, system and population impact of online and other digital public health interventions[.]” (DiSHI, 2020). DiSHI has shared a new resource – a report sharing preliminary results… Read more »

What do World AIDS Day and the International Day of Persons with Disabilities have in common?

Posted On: Monday, November 23rd, 2020

What is common between World AIDS Day and International Day of Persons with Disabilities? It is not only the month that marks both of these days (December 1 and December 3 respectively). There are also other connections that can be recognized through a social justice and intersectional approaches. An estimated one in five Canadians (or 6.2 million)… Read more »

BC’s Overdose Overview: November 1-7, 2020

Posted On: Monday, November 16th, 2020

The BCCDC Overdose Dashboard provides updates on: Illegal drug overdoses attended by paramedics (BCEHS) Illicit drug toxicity deaths (BCCS defined) Mortality rate maps by Health Services Delivery Area (HSDA) Severity of ingestion poisoning calls coded in most severe category at time of ambulance dispatch (provincial view) Severity of overdose patient presentation assessed by paramedics using… Read more »

BC’s Overdose Overview: October 25-31, 2020

Posted On: Monday, November 9th, 2020

The BCCDC Overdose Dashboard provides updates on: Illegal drug overdoses attended by paramedics (BCEHS) Illicit drug toxicity deaths (BCCS defined) Mortality rate maps by Health Services Delivery Area (HSDA) Severity of ingestion poisoning calls coded in most severe category at time of ambulance dispatch (provincial view) Severity of overdose patient presentation assessed by paramedics using… Read more »

Update on efforts to criminalize conversion therapy in Canada

Posted On: Monday, November 9th, 2020

In case you missed it, last month the Federal Government has reintroduced legislation to criminalize conversion therapy-related conduct in Canada. From the news release (excerpt): Diversity and inclusion are among Canada’s greatest strengths. Canadians must feel safe in their identities, and free to be their true selves. That is why the Government of Canada is… Read more »

Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) Updates

Posted On: Friday, November 6th, 2020

Medical assistance in dying (MAID) is an option that has been legal in Canada since 2016. There are specific situations in which a person can apply for a medically assisted death, and the federal government has recently re-introduced proposed changes to the legislation to reduce some of the barriers that have been identified. In January… Read more »

Call for Submissions – Knowledge Exchange in Essential Practices

Posted On: Friday, November 6th, 2020

OD-PREP: OverDose Prevention and Response Essential Practices Knowledge Exchange Series About the Project The Community Action Initiative (CAI), the Public Health Association of BC (PHABC) and the Canadian Mental Health Association – BC Division (CMHA BC), are working in partnership with a peer-led Advisory Committee to increase the documentation of community-based models of overdose prevention… Read more »

Got a Minute for Hepatitis C?

Posted On: Friday, November 6th, 2020

    Do you have lived experience of hepatitis C and live in BC? Your thoughts, feelings, and opinions will help build the future leadership training program: Click here to complete the Hepatitis C Leadership Project survey for people with lived experience   Are you part of a community-based organization, public health agency, health authority,… Read more »

HIV Self-Testing Approved in Canada!

Posted On: Friday, November 6th, 2020

Exciting news! Health Canada has provided final approval of Canada’s first HIV self-test on November 3, 2020. You can read key messages related to this announcement from REACH Nexus here.   This announcement marks a critical step to ending the HIV epidemic in Canada. HIV self-testing is expected to provide greater access to testing as Canadians will now be able to self-administer the HIV test on their own and where they feel most comfortable. This is… Read more »

Join us for our next virtual event- Alcohol: Community Trends and Impact

Posted On: Tuesday, November 3rd, 2020

Updated! Click here to view on-demand. Date: Wednesday December 2, 2020 Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM Pacific time     Registration is open for our next virtual event*. We are pleased to be working in collaboration with the Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research (CISUR) to bring you a day-long virtual event featuring community… Read more »

Participation in Voices for World AIDS Day Campaign

Posted On: Tuesday, November 3rd, 2020

From Voices for World AIDS Day Each year leading up to December 1st, the Voices for World AIDS Day campaign unites diverse voices of individuals and community organizations across Canada to remember those we have lost to AIDS and raise awareness about HIV/AIDS. Last year, our Campaign garnered over 100,000 impressions nationally. This year, our Campaign will… Read more »

BC’s Overdose Overview: October 18-24, 2020

Posted On: Friday, October 30th, 2020

The BCCDC Overdose Dashboard provides updates on: Illegal drug overdoses attended by paramedics (BCEHS) Illicit drug toxicity deaths (BCCS defined) Mortality rate maps by Health Services Delivery Area (HSDA) Severity of ingestion poisoning calls coded in most severe category at time of ambulance dispatch (provincial view) Severity of overdose patient presentation assessed by paramedics using… Read more »