Research project aims to improve health care and reduce COVID-19 in African, Caribbean, and Black communities

We know from the statistics that African, Caribbean, and Black Canadians have been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s because of social determinants of health, a variety of economic and social factors that generally have a negative effect on the overall health and well-being of people who are already disadvantaged or experiencing inequality.

These negative effects have been made worse by the pandemic. Dr. Josephine Etowa, a professor at the University of Ottawa, decided to try and do something about it. She is leading a project to improve how Ontario’s health system responds to the pandemic by reducing the impact and spread of COVID-19 in African, Caribbean, and Black (ACB) communities in the province.

With partners like the Ottawa-based Canadians of African Descent Health Organization (CADHO), they are conducting participatory research (including surveys and interviews) with members of ACB communities to figure out how to improve the odds and reduce people’s risk of contracting COVID-19. Researchers are also talking with health care providers to record their experiences caring for members of these communities.

The end goal is to create online resources and support materials that can lead to more inclusive policies and improved health care models of practice for ACB communities. New peer educators and COVID-19 information sessions aim to help increase health care literacy and hopefully drive down infection rates for these vulnerable Canadians.

Source: Canadian Institutes of Health Research