MANAGER'S REPORT, February 20, 1987 ...... (SOCIAL: A-2 + 2)

Clause No. 1 continued

truth {is that there is only one significant risk qroup--persons 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 significant increase in AIDS in the general population, including
children. .

Nothing can be done to “cure” an HIY positive person of the infection.
A vaccine, {if one can be developed, is at least five years in the
future. In the absence of 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 taday.

The Health Department and AIDS = Current Activities

With the Lower Mainiand and the City of Vancouver having the highest
prevalence rate of diagnosed AIDS in Canada, this Department has had to
aivert staff resources in order to maintain a minimum level of necessary
activities.

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

1. Surveillance

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

2. Inter-Agency Liaison and Coordination

The Gepartment maintains regular communication with the Ministry of
fealth's Divisions of Epidemtology and Sexually Transmitted Disease
Control. The Department coordinates {ts educational activities and
support services with St. Paul's hospital, AIDS Vancouver, and various
U.B.C. Departments. Active contact is established with The Provincial
Laboratory and the HIV testing clinic to ensure the Health Department
has the most current information on the spreed of HIV infection in
varfous populations across 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 AIDS. AIDS Yancouver
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 care-giving
professionals.

4, Community Treatment Support Service

The Provincfal Government has provided additional funding to the
Department's Home Care Program allowing the extension of program
services to all eligible persons with AIDS. Twenty-seven persons with
AIDS received program services in 1986. Services include nursing and
rehabilitation as well as long term care assessment and home support

service,