Grant: CIHR Café Scientifique Program

Racialized immigrants and refugees comprise close to 20% of new cases of HIV infections in Canada. Faith and media sectors have historically play critical roles in settlement and integration. However, silence about HIV/AIDS among faith, media and social justice leaders and a lack of HIV champion role models in ethnoracial minority communities impede efforts in HIV prevention, testing, treatment, and care. At this Café Scientifique, attendees will have the opportunity to dialogue with researchers and HIV champions from multiple sectors and learn about preliminary results of the CHAMP Study conducted by the Committee for Accessible AIDS Treatment(CAAT). They will also be engaged to reflect on the nature and impact of HIV stigma and discrimination and explore ways of promoting HIV acceptance, prevention, and education in the diverse communities.