Volunteers needed for HIV study

Important research into the link between HIV and cardiovascular disease is being conducted this month and Melbourne’s Burnet Institute is looking for help.

Volunteers are asked to donate a small amount of time to help researchers with two studies.

The first — the HIV and ageing of the immune system (HIA) study — will look at discovering how age-related diseases like heart disease and dementia can be prevented in HIV-positive young people.

Participants in the HIA study need to be HIV-positive men aged under 50 or HIV-negative men under 35 or over 65.

Participants must not be on antiretroviral drugs or taking anti-inflammatory medication or have had an illness in the past three weeks.

The second study — the HIV and cardiovascular health (HaCH) study — will look specifically at cardiovascular disease in HIV-positive men so medical researchers can identify if there are signs that certain men may be predisposed to the disease.

Participants in the HaCH study must be healthy men aged 40 and over, be HIV-negative, not on cholesterol-lowering medication and be able to spare 45 minutes on a Monday, Tuesday or Thursday morning.

The HaCH study is especially looking for smokers to volunteer.

All volunteers in the HaCH study will receive a free cardiovascular health check for participating.

Both studies require a blood sample and completion of a short general health questionnaire.

info: To volunteer, contact the Burnet Institute on 9282 2271 or email [email protected]