weSpeak Podcast Episode 3
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PART 3
Black Masculinities and structural determinants of HIV vulnerabilities are the themes of the third episode of the weSpeak podcast. The speakers will also talk about policies and practical strategies to reduce HIV related health disparities among Black men and the communities.
AMBIENCE
Hello, and thanks for joining us for the podcast's third episode. I'm Joy Osiagwu, your host for the series.
Dr Roger Antabe, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Health at the University of Toronto Scarborough and one of the Community Research Coordinators for weSpeak, is on this episode. Dr Wesley Oakes, a Co-Investigator and Senior lead, strategic partnerships and health equity initiatives at the Ontario HIV Treatment Network, joins Dr Antabe.
Studies have shown that heterosexual African, Caribbean, and Black (ACB) men are emerging as a vulnerable group to HIV, yet to get the attention of policymakers in the health sector in Canada. Data from the Public Health Agency of Canada shows that ACB people are 12.5% more likely to get infected with HIV than the rest of the population. The group also represents over 25% of new HIV cases, yet ACB people constitute less than 5% of the inhabitants of Canada.
Dr Wesley Oakes gives a background to Black communities and HIV in the North American context.
SOUNDBITE
Dr Roger Antabe asserts that the Black community's stereotyping also accounts for the vulnerability to HIV in the ACB communities.
SOUNDBITE
Even in the media, the portrayal of Black heterosexual men hurts the group, as observed by Dr Oakes.
SOUNDBITE
Dr Antabe gives a case study to support Dr Oakes's observation.
SOUNDBITE
The guests talked about structural barriers and the impact on the lives of black men from the stories shared about HIV and vulnerabilities in the focus group meetings
SOUNDBITES
How does the study intend to engage policymakers while sustaining the dialogue to reduce HIV related health disparities among black men and the ACB communities?
SOUNDBITES
The fourth episode of the podcast will analyze the dialogue with community stakeholders.
WeSpeak research is funded by the Ontario HIV Treatment Network and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.
