HiFi Lab develops and tests culturally-responsible intervention strategies that can be integrated and targeted to address determinants of HIV infection among African and African diaspora communities. Our research projects employ a range of research traditions, designs and methods including randomized controlled trials, structural equation modeling, ethnography and systematic reviews.
In 2019, the HiFi Lab, Ontario HIV Treatment Network (OHTN), other HIV agencies and community stakeholders came together to launch the African, Caribbean and Black (ACB) chapter of the Toronto-to-Zero (TTZ) initiative in response to the disproportionately high rates of HIV seen in ACB communities. The group worked to propose strategies and recommendations that would be useful in improving HIV outcomes amongst ACB individuals living in the Greater Toronto Area, with the ultimate goal of reducing HIV transmissions by 66%, surpassing the UNAIDS 90-90-90 goal, and bettering the wellbeing of people living with HIV.
To achieve these goals, members of the TTZ working group members met frequently to identify and analyse five key areas: trends in the epidemic among Black people, Black people in relation to the HIV cascade, innovative approaches to testing that are culturally-informed and account for structural barriers, understanding and strengthening the landscape for engagement in care and treatment and evaluation of new technologies for prevention and treatment. As well, members of the working group discussed each area of concern with community stakeholders to create concise recommendations that could be used to improve HIV-related health outcomes in ACB communities.