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Heterosexual Black Men in Ontario.
Preventing HIV. Promoting Health.

The problem

In Ontario, Black people have been especially vulnerable to HIV. For example, Black people who are infected with HIV through heterosexual contact account for almost 20% all HIV-positive people in the province, even though Black people as a whole make up less than 5% of the province’s total population. Black men are less likely than Black women to be tested and diagnosed for HIV.

Heterosexual ACB men in Ontario face challenges accessing relevant information and programs. ACB men are often stereotyped as irresponsible, reckless, and incapable of dealing with the issues that affect their wellbeing. In general, HIV research and programs have not been aligned with heterosexual ACB men’s needs and interests, and health agencies have been slow to meaningfully engage them. However, our previous research showed that ACB men are resourceful and resilient about the issues that impact their health and wellbeing, and thoughtful about being more involved in community responses to HIV.

Our response

From 2015 to 2020, our research program will include:’

  1. Raising heterosexual ACB men’s awareness about how they may be vulnerable to HIV;
  2. Implementing research to reduce vulnerability to HIV and strengthen resilience among heterosexual ACB men;
  3. Strengthening skills, abilities and knowledge among heterosexual ACB men, community agencies, researchers and policy makers for responding effectively to HIV;
  4. Mobilizing heterosexual ACB men, community agencies, researchers and policy makers to develop and implement programs, research and policy that address HIV-related issues.


The expected outcomes of the research program include:

  1.  Strengthening partnerships and collaboration among ACB communities in response to HIV;
  2.  Promoting respectful, informed, community-based responses to HIV among ACB men and communities;
  3.  Building greater understanding about HIV and health; supporting ACB men’s involvement in community responses to HIV; 
  4.  Building capacity for community-based HIV research and policy;
  5.  Generating new ideas to overcome HIV-related challenges and address HIV among ACB communities in Ontario and elsewhere in Canada.