Grant: Catalyst Grant: Moving Upstream - Structural Racism and Health Inequities

It is widely recognized that structural determinants of health account for significant health risks and health inequities. Structural determinants are political, economic, and social structures and they help to explain how power, processes and a legacy of racism create health harm. For example, due to anti-Black racism, African, Caribbean, and Black people in western nations, such as Canada, represent some of the most vulnerable populations in their susceptibility to health risks, chances of receiving equitable care, and chances of recovery.Anti-Indigenous racism is a powerful and ongoing health-damaging stDOH for Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, Metis) Peoples. The World Health Organization recognizes racism as a key structural determinant of socioeconomic position, and health inequity. Research needs to move upstream to address racism at its roots. This project will examine racism, health equities, and the impact of equity, diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) and anti-racism initiatives in health-related government and arm length government organizations?policies on the health and wellbeing of the Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) population in Canada. We will use a population health promotion approach based in social justice and equity, including an intersectionality lens, and participatory research approaches. The project has diverse interdisciplinary team who will: 1) analyze existing knowledge about EDI and anti-racism public and other policies; 2) interview key people across Canada who have extensive experience in the study area, and 3) mobilize and share our study results with broad, Canada-wide audiences, including health-related professionals, policymakers, people who work in academic institutions, and the general public. This work will inform the development of a national framework and best practice guidelines for integrating racial equity analysis in health research, practices and policies.