Are You Interested in Women’s Healthy Aging Research?

BC CARMA CHIWOS Collaboration (BCC3)

We are currently recruiting women (cis- and trans-gender inclusive) for the BC CARMA CHIWOS Collaboration (BCC3) study on women’s healthy aging.

The goal of this study is to better understand the cellular, clinical, and social factors involved in women’s healthy aging, such as viral infections (HIV, hepatitis C, and herpes), hormones (estrogen, progesterone, and cortisol), chronic diagnoses, and personal life experiences including adverse childhood experiences, sexual health, stigma, violence, social support, and resilience.

We are based out of BC Women’s Hospital, but we will be coming to Vancouver Island the week of February 27^th – March 3^rd!

Our main study inclusion criteria are that:

1. You are able to communicate in English.
2. You identify as a woman (cis- and trans-gender inclusive).
3. You are 16 years of age or older.
4. You are living with or without HIV.
5. You are not pregnant or breastfeeding.

Participation would include two study visits:

1. The first visit will be in person and will include:
   1. Body measurements: height, weight, blood pressure, and waist circumference.
   1. Sample collection: blood sample, mouth swab, urine sample, an optional hair sample (for stress test), and an optional rectal swab (for microbiome test). Additional blood testing for hormones is required if you are menstruating and not taking any hormones/hormonal contraception.
   1. Questionnaire, which includes questions on demographics, medical history, reproductive health, and substance use history.
2. The second visit will be either online, in person, or over the phone and will include:
   1. A continuation of the questionnaire on social determinants of health, social support, sexual health, experience of stigma and violence, sleep, resilience, etc.

If you have any questions or would like to participate, please email Amber (amber.campbell@cw.bc.ca) or call or text at 604-868-5075. For more information, you can also check out our website at www.hivhearme.ca or watch our video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhq9mCqnOf4