AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome)

AIDS is a constellation of various diseases indicative of an impaired immune system caused by the HIV virus.

Antiretroviral refers to a type of drug, or pharmaceutical compound, that is specifically designed to prevent the reproduction of retroviruses, such as HIV. People often use the simpler term "antivirals". There are several types of antiviral drugs currently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to treat HIV: nucleoside analogs, non-nucleoside analogs and protease inhibitors. Only a few antivirals have been approved in Canada and these are still being evaluated. There has been a considerable amount of controversy about using antivirals because of their side effects and the fact that little is known about their long-term effects. (Encyclopedia of AIDS: A Social, Political, Cultural and Scientific Record of the HIV Epidemic)

FAS/FAE (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Effects)

FAS/FAE are medical diagnoses that refer to a set of alcohol-related disabilities associated with the use of alcohol during pregnancy. The minimum criteria for diagnosing FAS are prenatal and/or post natal growth restriction, central nervous system dysfunction, and characteristic facial features.

A goal is a statement of what is to be achieved at some point in the future. Strategic goals establish the overall direction of an organization. They focus more on an end-state than specific accomplishments (see Objective).

Health status is the state of health of an individual and, by extension, the state of health of the overall population. Health status has been traditionally measured by length of life (life expectancy), rates of disease and death (mortality and morbidity) and physical health and functioning. Today, health status is also measured by years of healthy life, quality of life and well-being, the impact of health problems on everyday life, and mental, social and emotional health (Report on the Health of Canadians, Health Canada).

HIV (Human Immuno-deficiency Virus)

HIV is a virus that causes AIDS. It attacks the cells of the immune system. HIV is passed from one person to another by the exchange of infected blood, semen, vaginal fluid or breast-milk. After infection, HIV gradually weakens the immune system and the body is unable to fight off infections. (Canadian Aids Society)

A mission statement describes the fundamental reason for an organization’s existence. It describes the nature of an organization’s day to day business or operations. It establishes what an organization does, for whom and the major philosophical premises under which it operates.

An objective is a specific and measurable description of what is to be achieved. Whereas a goal is broadly stated, an objective is more focused and narrowly stated.

A performance indicator is a unit of information that measures or tracks an organization’s success in achieving intended results. It is specifically worded to identify the characteristic or change that indicates a result has been achieved. A performance indicator identifies the statistic that will best summarize performance, usually a number, rate or percentage.

A population health outcome is a desired or intended result for a given population group. It is usually concerned with the longer term or ultimate effects of a particular action on society, rather than the shorter term effects of a program or service on the participants.

Queer friendly refers to organizations, services and programs which are responsive to and aware of the issues facing gay men, lesbians, bisexual and transgendered persons.

Seroconcordant refers to the relationship between two individuals of the same HIV serostatus, where both are HIV negative or both are HIV positive.

SERODISCORDANT

Serodiscordant refers to the relationship between two individuals where one individual is HIV positive and the other is HIV negative.

Seropositive refers to an individual whose blood contains the Human Imuno-deficiency Virus (HIV)

A service outcome is the desired or intended result of a particular service or program. This type of outcome is usually directly attributable to the service or program. A service outcome primarily benefits the consumer or participant, although there may be secondary benefits to the larger community or population groups.

A strategy is an action, pattern of actions or a plan to achieve a desired result. It can be used by an organization to marshal and allocate resources to support al position (or goal) based on internal competencies and anticipated changes in the operating environment.

Transgender is often used as an umbrella term to describe people who do not fit into society’s assigned gender roles. Transgender people usually make the transition from male to female, or vice versa, either with or without the assistance of hormones and/or surgery. This term is sometimes used interchangeably with transsexual, although transsexuals usually transition with hormones and/or surgery. (The Centre--the Community Centre Serving and Supporting Lesbian, Gay, Transgendered, Bisexual People and their Allies)

Gay, lesbian, bisexual and/or transgendered Aboriginal people (The Red Road; Pathways to Wholeness: An Aboriginal Strategy for HIV and AIDS in BC).

Universal precautions are general measures intended to prevent the transmission of blood-borne pathogens, especially HIV and the hepatitis-B virus (HBV), between health care workers and patients They are designed to prevent contact between certain potentially infectious bodily fluids of one person and the mucous membranes or non-intact skin of others. Universal precautions focus on the avoidance of accidental punctures by used needles or scalpels and involve the use of protective barriers such as latex gloves, adherence to established procedures for use/disposal of sharp objects, and immunization of health care workers for HBV. Universal precautions are especially important in exposure-prone invasive procedures such as surgery. (Encyclopedia of AIDS: A Social, Political, Cultural and Scientific Record of the HIV Epidemic)

Values are an expression of what an organization or individual stands for and who it will conduct itself. Values are a promise of action; they form the moral and ethical basis for decision making. It is critical that organizational values are not only seen to exist, but are demonstrably upheld by every member of an organization and by every policy, procedure, practice and process.

A vision describes what an organization is striving to become in the future. It paints a picture of an ideal world that an organization wants to help create. A vision is intended to galvanize an organization into greater action and co-operation.

Vulnerability in the context of HIV/AIDS means having little of no control over the risk of acquiring HIV infection or, for those already infected with or affected by HIV, to have little or no access to appropriate care and support. Vulnerability is the net result of the interplay among many personal (including biological) and societal factors, and can be increased by a range of cultural, demographic, legal, economic and political factors. (United Nations Joint Programme on HIV/AIDS).