Grant: Health System Impact Fellowships - PostDoc Western Canada 2-year

While Canada's health care system is meant to serve all people equally, this is not always the case. Many Manitobans, including those with lower incomes, people living in rural areas, newcomers, and racialized communities, often experience differential care which contributes to inequitable health outcomes. In 2024, Manitoba Health launched a new initiative, Health System Data Partnerships, to improve access to health care for provincial residents, especially those who may face barriers to access care. This initiative leverages Manitoba's comprehensive, population-wide health and social databases to identify and address gaps in health equity. By linking population-based, routinely collected databases, Manitoba Health can spot strengths in the system and areas that need attention. The initiative goal is to make better and more equitable decisions about treatments and technologies by focusing not only on how well they work in clinical trials, but also on whether they reach the people who need them most, reduce pressure on the health system, and improve lives in real-world settings. This program of research, which comprises multiple projects, supports the initiative's goal by understanding how treatment and healthcare services impact patients in practice, including marginalized populations. The analysis will use data science methods to examine differences in access and outcomes by income, sex, age, and rural and remote areas, helping to uncover inequities and inform better care. The research program aims to examine two areas of care, mental health treatment and obesity care, that involve high-cost treatments and major health burdens for Manitobans, especially among marginalized populations. The findings will help Manitoba Health improve service planning, make informed investment decisions, and build a health system that is more equitable and inclusive for all Manitobans.