Racialized populations in Ontario are among the fastest-growing demographic groups, yet they continue to experience significant health disparities that place a considerable strain on the province’s health and social services. The COVID-19 pandemic has only deepened these inequities, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive systemic reforms to address the long-standing barriers these communities face within Ontario’s healthcare system.
The Racialized Health Working Group (RHWG), funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada, is a coalition dedicated to addressing these disparities and driving transformative change through research, advocacy, and policy development. Since its formation in 2019, RHWG has evolved into a community-led initiative focused on five key racialized populations in Ontario: South Asian, Black-African-Caribbean, LatinX Hispanic, Middle Eastern & North African, and East Asian communities.
The RHWG is currently led by five core partners:
- Council of Agencies Serving South Asians (CASSA)
- Roots Community Services (RootsCs)
- Hispanic Development Council (HDC)
- Canadian Arab Institute (CAI)
- Chinese Canadian National Council – Toronto Chapter (CCNC-TO)
To ensure broad engagement and intersectional insights, the RHWG also draws on its extended network of community organizations, including the Alliance for South Asian AIDS Prevention (ASAAP), Black Health Alliance (BHA), Punjabi Community Health Services (PCHS), and the Sickle Cell Awareness Group of Ontario (SCAGO). Together, these networks help ensure that our strategies and recommendations are grounded in the lived realities of Ontario’s diverse racialized communities.
Our Research & Objectives
As part of this initiative, the Racialized Health Working Group (RHWG) conducted a mixed-methods study to explore how systemic racism, social determinants of health, and pandemic response measures have uniquely impacted racialized communities in Ontario. This research draws on both qualitative and quantitative data from South Asian, Black-African-Caribbean, LatinX Hispanic, Middle Eastern & North African, and East Asian communities, emphasizing lived experiences as central to health policy development.
The study’s objectives include:
Assess the Impact of COVID-19 on Health Disparities: To evaluate how the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated existing health disparities within racialized communities, and to examine how these disparities have evolved since the pandemic’s onset. This will involve a closer look at the differential impact of the pandemic on various racialized groups, including the factors contributing to disproportionate outcomes.
Analyze Systemic Barriers to Healthcare Access: To identify and assess the systemic barriers that continue to affect healthcare access for racialized populations. This includes barriers related to cultural competency, service availability, and experiences of discrimination within healthcare settings, as well as the long-term consequences of the pandemic on healthcare accessibility.
Examine the Impact of Social Determinants of Health: To explore how the social determinants of health, such as employment, housing, and education, have contributed to health disparities, particularly in the context of the pandemic. The research will assess how these factors have evolved and their ongoing impact on the health outcomes of racialized communities.
Investigate the Need for Race-Based Disaggregated Data: To advocate for the systematic collection and use of race-based, disaggregated data in healthcare, which is crucial for identifying health disparities and informing policies that address the unique needs of racialized populations. This objective will emphasize the importance of race-based data in improving the responsiveness and equity of the healthcare system.
Engage Racialized Communities in Healthcare Policy Development: To involve racialized communities in the research process through interviews, surveys, and focus groups, ensuring that their perspectives are integral to the development of health equity strategies. The research will prioritize the inclusion of community-driven insights to inform policy decisions and improve healthcare outcomes.
Raise Awareness and Advocate for Change: To increase awareness among healthcare providers, policymakers, and the public about the persistent health disparities faced by racialized communities and the need for targeted health equity initiatives. This will also involve advocating for changes in healthcare delivery, including policy reforms and the inclusion of health equity in medical education and practice.
Provide Actionable Recommendations for Policy Reform: Based on the research findings, the study will provide evidence-based recommendations to inform policy reforms aimed at addressing ongoing health disparities. These recommendations will be directed at Ontario’s Ministry of Health and other key stakeholders to support the creation of a more equitable healthcare system.
Core Partnerships
Additional Collaborators
Funders
