Effecting policy change in the fight against HIV/AIDS among African communities living in Toronto

This project was designed to inform people about AIDS/HIV in African communities in Toronto. The researchers focused on the barriers people face when accessing information and treatment for HIV/AIDS. A workshop brought 34 participants together, including representatives from government funding agencies, and the community. Major themes included: a lack of knowledge about HIV/AIDS on the part of government leaders, the need for culturally sensitive care, and general stigma associated with HIV/AIDS. Researchers are building upon these preliminary results to examine how the issues can be addressed according to the needs of different communities.