government involvement in HIV/AIDS

Overall, Canadians support federal government involvement in HIV/AIDS. Most agree that the Government of Canada should be involved in this issue, and most believe that federal spending on HIV/AIDS should be greater now than it was ten years ago.

Close to three-quarters (72 per cent) are supportive of federal government involvement, 21 per cent are somewhat supportive, and only five per cent are not supportive of this involvement. The minority who do not support federal government involvement in HIV/AIDS were asked to indicate why. A variety of reasons were provided, including a lack of trust in the federal government (cited by 40 per cent), that they do not know anyone with HIV/AIDS (11 per cent), that federal funds should be channelled to more critical areas (12 per cent), and that HIV/AIDS prevention should be the responsibility of the individual (seven per cent).

Furthermore, close to two-thirds believe that the federal government should spend more on HIV/AIDS now than it did ten years ago, 28 per cent believe the amount spent should be unchanged, and only two per cent believe it should spend less.

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• Support for federal government involvement is linked to education. The proportion who are supportive of federal involvement increases from 68 per cent of those with high school education or less to 79 per cent of university graduates.
  
• Those who believe HIV/AIDS is a serious problem are more likely to support federal involvement (77 per cent do), as are Canadians with a high level of knowledge (actual and perceived) (76 per cent), and a high level of comfort with people with HIV/AIDS (81 per cent support). Those who know someone with HIV/AIDS are also more supportive of federal government involvement (76 per cent).
  
• Not surprisingly (given their lower levels of tolerance and comfort), seniors are less likely to support federal government involvement in HIV/AIDS (68 per cent are supportive).
  
• Those who believe HIV/AIDS is a serious problem are more likely to believe that the federal government should spend more now (69 per cent do), as do those who believe the risk of HIV has increased in the last five years (72 per cent), and those who know someone with HIV/AIDS (67 per cent).
  
• Those with a high level of perceived knowledge, a high level of comfort and individuals who are less likely to distance themselves from the issue also tend to support increased federal government spending.