Grant: Catalyst Grant: HIV/AIDS Community Based Research Program - Indigenous Stream

This research proposal seeks to address significant health concerns affecting women and families who live on the northern part of Vancouver Island. Many of the health concerns experienced by women and families are intricately connected to the social determinants of health and the social determinants of Aboriginal healing including poverty, unemployment and underemployment, a less educated workforce with a high birth rate, poor self esteem with resultant mental health challenges and substance use. The rates of STIs, and newly infected HIV cases are much higher with Aboriginal persons overrepresented in BC's HIV epidemic. This region also reports significantly higher rates of sexual assaults which increase the vulnerability of women and families to STIs, including HIV. This proposal will build upon a number of creative preogram already in place in the North Island and will be guided by the North Island Research Advisory Committee which includes members from community and health service agencies and from Aborigianl people living in these rural and remote communites.