People with AIDS/HIV

Helping People Living with AIDS/HIV

A volunteer with Mid-Toronto Community Services prepares to deliver meals on wheels. The United Way member agency offers "Snack Packs" to people living with AIDS. These high protein meals are designed to bolster the daily nutritional intake of people living with the disease.

The Situation

The first case of AIDS was diagnosed more than 25 years ago. In spite of widespread public awareness campaigns, AIDS and HIV remain major health care issues for all Canadians.

Homosexual men and injection drug users still constitute the majority of AIDS cases, although the proportion of AIDS cases among women in Ontario has been steadily increasing. Canadian youth (especially street youth) are also at risk of HIV infection through unprotected sex.

The Facts

  • The prevalence of HIV/AIDS is heavily concentrated in large urban areas. Most HIV diagnoses in Ontario are reported from Toronto (66%) and Ottawa (11%) (2007).
  • HIV infection among women in Toronto has been steadily increasing over the years. Women accounted for 26.9% of adult positive HIV test reports in Toronto (2006).
  • Approximately 33% of babies born to HIV infected women in Ontario between 1984 and 2001 have been infected with the virus.
  • In Ontario, an estimated 36% of HIV-infected persons alive as of December 2005 were unaware of their HIV status (2007).

United Way Support

United Way supports social and health services in Toronto that provide the greatest impact to our community. As part of this network, United Way funds 24 agencies that support people with AIDS/HIV and help to prevent the disease. Sexual health programs include AIDS/HIV public awareness and prevention outreach to high-risk groups. Other services include telephone information lines and individual and group counselling on issues related to sexual health.

Your donation will make a difference by supporting:

  • Individual counselling and support groups
  • Prevention and community education
  • Information to caregivers and caregiver relief
  • Homecare support
  • Referral to specialized treatment

Download the brochure: Helping People Living with AIDS/HIV (pdf - 72 KB).