Category: Advocacy, Policy, Public Health

Updated January 30, 2025 On behalf of the Canadian Public Health Association (CPHA) CPHA is currently recruiting medicine, nursing, and social work students for a study to evaluate our evidence-based course that aims to improve care in sexual health. It’s a chance for us, with your support, to lead the way in making healthcare more… Read more »

Spotlight on Patricia Kolida

  As part of creating some knowledge mobilization material about the research findings of PAN’s Making it Work Project, we interviewed Patricia Kolida, On-Site Manager of Positive Living North in Bulkley Valley (Smithers). As a Making it Work study team member, Patricia shares her thoughts on some themes of cultural safety and harm reduction in… Read more »

The PAN Members’ and Allies’ Survey is a key instrument of our strategy to ensure our work remains aligned with our vision, mission and values. Since its inception in 2015, the survey has become a critical feedback mechanism that informs us about the effectiveness of our approaches and the impact of our work. It also… Read more »

Join women from Victoria and across Vancouver Island and the Gulf Island for Vancouver Island PWA Society (VPWAS)  Positive Women’s Wellness Group. This peer facilitator led group is open to all women living with HIV and or HCV on Vancouver Island and the Southern Gulf Islands. Meetings take place twice a month, once in person (during… Read more »

Webinar: Moral Panic and the push for Involuntary treatment

  The BC Drug Policy working group presents Disinformation, Moral Panic and Involuntary ‘care’ in BC Date: December 10th, 2025, 11 AM-12 PM Pacific time. Presented by Patrick McDermott from Hard Law, and Corey Ranger from the Harm Reduction Nurses Association. Presentation Synopsis: part 1. This presentation will facilitate a foundational understanding of misinformation, disinformation, moral panic,… Read more »

We welcome today’s statement from Health Minister Josie Osborne acknowledging World AIDS Day and Indigenous AIDS Awareness Week.   Via BC Ministry of Health, December 1, 2024 Josie Osborne, Minister of Health, has issued the following statement in recognition of World AIDS Day and Indigenous AIDS Awareness Week: “Dec. 1 marks World AIDS Day and… Read more »

Substance Use News November 2024

Substance Use News provides a monthly collection of news and resources on the social, medical and political responses to the toxic drug supply crisis and harm reduction. To get the latest toxic drug safety alerts, visit Info for People Who Use Substances page from Toward the Heart. Subscribe to our newsletter for information weekly- scroll to the bottom… Read more »

Indigenous AIDS Awareness Day/Week Activity Guide 2024

Via CAAN Indigenous AIDS Awareness Day/ Week is held every year from December 1 to December 7 beginning on World AIDS Day – December 1. Today, Indigenous people are still dying of AIDS in Canada. Some people choose Indigenous AIDS Awareness Day/Week to memorialize or to commemorate those who struggled living with HIV. This week… Read more »

Case Management for Newcomer Women with HIV

Ribbon Community now offers case management for newcomer women living with HIV and their families, across the province! Ribbon Community is introducing Tova Krause, new case manager with Ribbon. She will work remotely with newcomer women anywhere in the province, providing support with housing, food security, navigating and advocacy within systems, finding resources, connect clients… Read more »

Using Concept Mapping for Empowerment and Advocacy

Update: webinar available for on-demand view. People who use substances often experience stigma and discrimination when accessing health and social services. This failing of the system can lead to folks not accessing and/or disconnecting from care and support. A recent study applied the concept of culturally safe care to develop a model of safe care… Read more »

Support World Hepatitis Testing Week!

Via World Hepatitis Testing Week The first ever World Hepatitis Testing Week starts on November 18th, and we’re excited to see the campaign gaining momentum globally. If you haven’t finalized your plans for it yet, don’t panic – here are three simple ways to support the movement!   1. Watch and share our new campaign… Read more »