Supporting youth living with HIV transitioning to adult HIV care: an evaluation of the HIV & Youth Peer Engagement (HYPE) program in Ontario, Canada

A critical challenge for youth living with HIV is transitioning from pediatric to adult care, a period often marked by disrupted continuity and risks of stigma and isolation. Few Canadian programs address this gap. The HIV Youth Peer Engagement (HYPE) program, developed by the AIDS Committee of Durham Region seeks to address this issue using a peer-led model emphasizing education, mentorship, and community building. This article presents findings from a five-year evaluation (2017-2022) of HYPE's transition-focused activities. Data were collected through surveys, focus groups, participant feedback, and reflections from youth and service providers, analyzed using descriptive and thematic methods. From 2017-2022, HYPE engaged 562 youth living with HIV and 407 service providers. Youth were primarily African, Caribbean, and Black, Indigenous, and 2SLGBTQIA + . A majority reported increased capacity to navigate adult healthcare systems, with 91% indicating greater self-advocacy and 77% identifying reduced social isolation through HYPE's events. Service providers also reported improved confidence in youth-centered, anti-stigma practices. Findings demonstrate that HYPE's integrated approach increases social connectedness and provider capacity, offering a promising model for future youth programming. Embedding youth voices, peer leadership, and community partnerships in transition programming is essential to improving outcomes and reducing stigma.