Thank you for your question. It is an extremely important concern. Right now, we are continuing to study the risks that exist within vulnerable populations. One of the biggest challenges when it comes to the gay and lesbian communities is the stigma that is often attached. I think we can help vulnerable populations, especially youth.
One of the Public Health Agency of Canada's projects targets students and focuses on the importance of preventing bullying. This has always been the case; the reality is that gays and lesbians often exist in silence. That is something that must be addressed in schools particularly.
The agency is also working with the Douglas institute in Montreal, which is developing a method that can be used to gain insight into vulnerable populations and to determine what distinguishes people who have the skills to cope from those who do not. Does the agency understand the challenges? We are continuing to study them so we can come up with projects and methods to help vulnerable populations like the gay and lesbian community.