Pauktuutit plans sexual health forum

Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada plans to convene a policy forum on Inuit sexual health in Iqaluit, Oct. 6 to Oct. 8, the organization announced in a news release Tuesday.

The conference is aimed at developing a five-year plan to increase access to care for Inuit with HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections.

“We live in an era where everyone is now potentially at risk and we must ensure that there are policies and programs in place to respond to and support Inuit who are living with HIV/AIDS and… preventing the spread of sexually transmitted infections in our communities,” said Pauktuutit president Rhoda Innuksuk in a news release.

Other goals of the conference include increasing the use of already available sexual health information and programs for Inuit, and identifying new research priorities and emerging sexual health issues.

Inuit have the highest rate of STIs in Canada and a birth rate three times the national average, the news release said.