MANAGER'S REPORT, Pebruary 20, 1987 .. ec « e (SOCIAL: A=2 =

Clause No. 1 continued

truth is that there is omly one significant risk groupe-fersons who
engage in indiscriminate sex, usually with multiple partners. These
people may be heterosexual, bisexual or homosexual. Heterosexual and
bisexual transmission will inevitably become more prominent, leading to
a ani fteant increase in AIDS in the general population, including
€ ren. .

Nothiag can be done to “cure” an HIV positive person of the infection.
A vaccine, {f one can be developed, igs at least five years in the
future. In the absence ef these usual measures, the public health

thrust must be focussed on education, the only method available to
reduce risk in populations not yet infected. Public policy-makers must

recognize that if we are to prevent cases of AIDS in the 1990's, we must
act today.

The Health Department and AIDS = Current Activities

With the Lower Mainland and the City of Vancouver having the highest
prevalence rate of diagnesed AIDS in Canada, this Department has had to
divert stat? resources in order to maintain a minimum level of necessary
activities.

The Health Department has undertaken the following responsibilities in
dealing with AIDS:

1. Surveillanee

The Health Department is actively searching for new cases and naintains
the caseload on computer file from which it can draw upeto-date
Statistical information.

2. Inter-Aqency Liaison and Coordination

The Department maintains regular communication with the Ministry of
Health's Divisions of Epidemiology and Sexually Transmitted Disease
Control. The Department coordinates its educational -activities and
Support services with St. Paul's hospital, AIDS Vancouver, and various
1.8.0. Departments. Active contact is established with The Provincia!
.iboratory and the HIV testing clinic to ensure the Health Department
has the most current information on the spread of HIY infection in
various populations acress the Province.

3. Education

With increasing public demand for information and advice and
physician-generated demand for care services in the home, Departmental
staff require regular information and advice on ADS. AIDS Vancouver
has carried primary responsibility for education of the general public
including persons in defined risk groups. The Health Department has not
had the resources to participate extensively but focuses its main
external efforts on education of health and other careegiving

professionals.

4& Community Treatment Support Service

The Provincial Government has provided additional funding to the
Department's Home Care Program allowing the extension of program
services to ali aligible persons with AIDS. Twentyesaven persans with
AIDS recetved program services in 1986. Services include nursing and
rehabilitation as well as long term care assessment and home support

service.