Social Determinants

Why Peter Bryce’s legacy still matters today

Physician John O'Connor received an award honouring the legacy of Peter Bryce, a government doctor who sounded the alarm over the high death toll in residential schools. Who has the courage to be the next?

‘Equitable and free of barriers’: Canada’s first gold-level certified accessible clinic opens its doors

Canada now has its first medical clinic that is accessible enough to earn gold-level certification from the Rick Hansen Foundation. The Ability Clinic, which opened this August, is one of only 59 gold-certified spaces in Canada.

Extreme heat is here to stay. Canada must adapt.

The extreme heat wave that recently boiled Canada is just a preview of what the future holds in store. It's high time we began preparing for dangerous heat in the future. Here are some ways we can start.

In the spirit of reconciliation and cultural safety, our health laws must change

In the spirit of reconciliation and to address racial injustice in health care, we need to be advocates to amend current health laws to create culturally safe environments.

Recent stem cell transplant raises hope for sickle cell cure

A recent stem cell transplant has cured a man of sickle cell disease, raising hopes among patient advocates. However, they emphasize that, for now, improving care for most patients requires removing racist barriers in health care.

Improving the health-care experience for autistic patients: The Autistic Health Access Project

Autistic people are leading seminars in medical schools about what it's like to experience the health-care system as an autistic patient. They hope that future doctors will work with these patients more collaboratively.

Montreal mobile clinic inspires young physician to act locally

A resident reflects on volunteering with Médecins du Monde Canada as a medical student—and what that experience taught her about the crucial role that community organizations play in helping the most vulnerable.

Speed and flexibility: Pop-up clinics highlight advantages of learning health systems

The COVID vaccine rollout is a litmus test for the learning health system. It requires speed, well-working collaborations with community members and the ability to adjust on the fly as supplies and eligibility requirements change.

Gender and medical specialty choice – have we made progress?

Gender differences in medical specialty choice persist. Here are the factors that play a role in these imbalances – and how residency programs can attract more female applicants.

‘This is the community in action’: Toronto’s Disability Vaccine Outreach Initiative

Disabled people are assisting their peers in gaining access to vaccines while also educating vaccine clinics about access needs. It's just one example of why involving communities in the rollout matters.

People with developmental disabilities have a right to better dental care and less suffering

People with developmental disabilities face barriers to dental care. It's time we took action to ensure that they do not remain invisible to dentists.

‘It’s hell for inmates in there’: COVID precautions in prisons are worsening mental health

COVID-19 precautions in prisons, such as extended lockdowns and reduced visits, are taking a serious toll on prisoners' mental health

When a city program is really just another pathway to eviction

The pandemic has intensified the suffering of homelessness. Rather than applauding Toronto's band-aid solutions, like the new program Pathway Inside, we must commit to affordable, permanent housing.

Finding shelter space like running an ‘obstacle course’

Helping someone who is homeless in Toronto access an indoor place to stay can be “like a gladiator’s obstacle course.”

A call for inclusive health research

We need an inclusive approach to health research, one that engages the affected communities in all aspects of the research and that meets them where they are.

Equal is not equitable: moral distress in health care

The inequity of Ontario's vaccine rollout is causing moral distress and burnout among health-care providers. How can we change the health-care system to make it more equitable and sustainable?

Toronto doctor challenges Commons committee to prioritize ‘social recovery’

This pandemic, placed on top of the longstanding social pandemic, has created a "syndemic" – a synergistic pandemic – in which the spark of COVID has ignited a tinderbox of social inequity.

Tackling racism in health care

Health-care institutions must reflect critically on whether they're ready to make the commitment necessary to do antiracist work by investing time and money to bring about systemic change. Anything less is performative.

A call to action: An approach to patient transfers for rural and remote communities in Canada

#Raiseyourvoice: An open letter to Ontarians from your doctors

To control the pandemic, more needs to be done immediately. You have seen the clips about hospitals in Italy and New York City last year: make no mistake, this is what we will soon face if we don’t make changes now.