Vancouver/Richmond Health Board Action Plan to Combat HIV/AIDS in the Downtown Eastside - Media Backgrounder

Background information for use by the media, released by the Vancouver/Richmond Health Board (VRHB) in October, 1997. It describes the immediate and longer term goals and actions of a new action plan to address HIV/AIDS in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver. These include the immediate actions of improving access to health services and improving HIV testing and medical protocols. Longer term strategies include working in collaboration with all 3 levels of government, the community, and other organizations; strategies to address broader determinants of health such as housing; and plans to provide additional funding through the Continuing Care Program.