Knowledge Hub

Health inequities in Canada are deeply rooted in structural determinants of health, the political, economic, and social systems that shape how power and resources are distributed. Among these determinants, racism remains a profound force influencing the health and well-being of Indigenous, Black, and other racialized populations. These communities continue to experience disproportionate health risks, limited access to equitable and culturally safe care, and poorer health outcomes due to long-standing patterns of exclusion, discrimination, and systemic neglect. For Indigenous Peoples, these inequities are directly tied to the ongoing legacy of colonialism. For African, Caribbean, and Black populations, anti-Black racism continues to structure social and economic disadvantage and reduced access to opportunities for health.

This project seeks to examine these issues by investigating how institutional structures, policies, and everyday practices reinforce racism within Canada’s health-related systems. By focusing on the ways that race, health equity, anti-racism, and equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are framed and operationalized within organizations, the project identifies how well-intentioned policies can still uphold systemic inequities if not designed with a clear understanding of structural racism. Grounded in principles of social justice, human rights, intersectionality, and ecological perspectives on population health, this research adopts a critical lens to uncover how power operates within institutions to shape the health experiences of racialized communities.

Using Institutional Ethnography (IE) as a guiding methodology, the project will map the everyday work of individuals involved in developing and implementing anti-racism and EDI policies, connecting their experiences to broader structures and governance processes. The research includes three components: a critical narrative synthesis of existing anti-racism and EDI policies; in-depth interviews with policymakers, service providers, community leaders, and researchers; and collaborative knowledge mobilization to co-create actionable policy tools such as best-practice guidelines and policy briefs.

Our interdisciplinary team of researchers, policymakers, clinicians, and community leaders brings extensive expertise in racial equity, health policy, and community-engaged research. Together, we aim to produce a national evidence-informed framework to guide organizations in advancing systemic anti-racism and health equity. Ultimately, this project seeks not only to analyze inequities but to contribute directly to structural change, supporting a healthier, more just, and inclusive Canada for all.

Nominated Principal Investigator/NPA: Etowa, J., Co-Principal Investigators: McGibbon, E., Bearskin, L.B., Osei-Tutu, K., Co-Investigators: Jefferies, K., Sony, S., Ajadi, T., Collaborators: Davis-Murdoch, S., Research Assistant: Fantaye, A., Project Coordinator: Bolarinwa, Y.

Dr. Josephine Etowa

2025, 2026

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