World AIDS Day Message – Dec 1, 2016
December 1st is recognized globally as World AIDS Day. At the Canadian Association for HIV Research (CAHR) we would like to take this time to recognize the accomplishments of Canadian researchers from across all disciplines of HIV research. Their discoveries have contributed greatly to the fight against HIV and AIDS both in Canada and globally.
World AIDS Day is also an occasion to reflect on the ongoing challenges to achieve an AIDS-free generation. As highlighted by the theme of the 26th Annual Canadian Conference on HIV/AIDS Research (CAHR 2017): “We’re not done yet”.
There have been many advances that have made inroads in tackling the disease – from insights into the biomedical complexities of the virus, to the development of advanced clinical approaches to treat HIV, to new and diverse strategies to reduce risks for individuals and communities. However, thousands of new infections occur each year in Canada, and the number of people living with HIV in Canada is rising.
While so much has been achieved, there is clearly so much more to be done. That is why at CAHR 2017 in Montreal those working in all disciplines of HIV/AIDS research, as well as policy makers, persons living with HIV and other individuals committed to ending the pandemic, will come together to share the outcomes of new research, to honour new investigators and to acknowledge the achievements of major contributors to the field.
Dr. Michael Grant
CAHR President