From Intervention to Practice: HIV Anti-Stigma Empowerment Readiness Among Service Providers in Canada

In Canada, HIV stigma remains a persistent barrier to equitable access to health and social-services, particularly for racialized immigrants-such as African, Caribbean, and Black communities (ACB)-who remain structurally exposed to new HIV infections amidst insufficient policy attention to their distinct health needs and challenges. To bridge the knowledge-practice gap in addressing HIV-related stigma in Canada, this intervention study engaged service organizations and providers in a multi-phase implementation across Ontario and Alberta. Qualitative insights from post-intervention activity logs revealed three main areas of impact: (1) Structural reforms: Service providers are advocating for and revising organizational policies to enhance inclusivity, challenging discriminatory language and practices, organizing trainings on unconscious bias and HIV stigma, coordinating with law enforcement agencies and engaging in political mobilization to address selective criminalization of racialized immigrants for status non-disclosure; (2) Community empowerment: The service providers began engaging and educating affected communities about HIV stigma, and fostering collective empowerment against social injustices. While some are volunteering with legal aid organizations to help racialized immigrants navigate disputes, others are joining charity organizations to set up donation centres to support racialized community members; and (3) Personal and professional growth: Providers reported acknowledging the privileges they enjoy as non-racialized individuals, becoming more intentional in addressing their personal biases, and ensuring inclusive practices in service delivery. In conclusion, sustained, community-informed implementation efforts are crucial for addressing entrenched inequities and ensuring a more inclusive, just, and effective HIV response for racialized immigrant populations in Canada.