Commentary: Healthcare Lived Experiences of African, Caribbean, and Black Individuals in Alberta living with HIV/AIDS
Despite biomedical advances that have made HIV a manageable chronic illness and the outcry over increasing access to care for marginalized groups, African, Caribbean, and Black (ACB) communities in Canada still experience disproportionate HIV rates and worse health outcomes related to HIV. A recent phenomenological study by Osuji, Domingo, and Olokude (2025) examines the lived experiences of ACB individuals in Alberta as they navigate HIV care.
Objective: This commentary critically analyses the findings of this study through the lenses of Critical Race Theory, intersectionality, public health policy, and health equity.
Discussion: This study's themes—health literacy and empowerment, non-belonging and invisibility, barriers to adherence, and psychosocial life impact—highlight how structural racism, stigma, and systemic neglect influence HIV care for ACB populations in Alberta. This commentary asserts that these inequities are not incidental but are deeply embedded in healthcare systems and broader societal structures. The invisibility of ACB people within HIV policy and data exemplifies structural racism, leading to poorer health outcomes and wider failures in public health.
Implications: Public health policies and practices must prioritize culturally responsive care, community-based interventions, disaggregated data collection, psychosocial support, and reforms to address the social determinants of health. Without intentional action, Canada will not achieve its HIV elimination targets or uphold its commitment to equity.
Conclusion: Ending HIV requires more than biomedical solutions. It involves dismantling systemic racism, fostering a sense of belonging, and creating inclusive systems where Black lives are visible, valued, and supported.
DOI: 10.29245/2689-9981/2025/2.1185 View / Download Pdf