This project started as part of an effort to put statistical data into the hands of the people it is extracted from – in this case, People Living with HIV. It was inspired by pioneering work that integrates Indigenous Engagement and Cultural Practices with administrative health data research in two related Canada-wide projects called Building Bridges and Building More Bridges.

Friends and colleagues (now team members) felt there was an opportunity to do important work on aging and HIV. For example, Wayne (peer researcher) voiced that, “We [People Living with HIV] feel left behind” by health research and services that “didn’t account for us. No one thought we would live this long.”

Cardiovascular health is a personal concern among peer researchers, and we know through our personal and professional networks that it is important to the HIV community. With a shared passion to work with and for People Living with HIV, we came together to help improve health and healthcare for those at risk of, or have living experience with, cardiovascular disease.

We are thankful to all members of our HIV and Eng/aging family. We are grateful to peer researchers who needed to step away to practice healthy self-care.