Wellesley Institute works in research and policy to improve health and health equity in the GTA through action on the social determinants of health.
Hundreds of students are beginning their healthcare training journeys this month. September is a good time to think about primary care – the foundation of the healthcare system. Primary care is the point of first contact for patients and serves as a conduit to other types of specialty care. Despite the importance of primary care, […]
Images of the drug toxicity crisis in Canada are harrowing. In 2023, an average of 22 people died every day from opioid toxicity. It’s a crisis that has captured the attention of Canadians, and almost everyone agrees something needs to be done. The Ontario government announced last month they would commit $378 million dollars over […]
Continue ReadingHealthcare for substance use is supported by evidence
As we continue to enjoy the outdoors this summer, many of us are spending more time engaging in physical activities, travelling and cultivating social connections. Summer illustrates the potential and the importance of living a healthy, thriving life. Being active within our communities and finding meaning and connections through hobbies, volunteering and socializing are essential […]
Continue ReadingSummer illustrates the importance of thriving
Oral health is essential for overall good health and quality of life. Yet due to its high costs, those who are low- and middle-income face financial barriers to regular dental care, particularly those without coverage from employers or government programs. Research shows those with less income, less education, older adults, and those with no insurance […]
Continue ReadingCanadian Dental Care Plan will help more people thrive
The introduction of the higher capital gains taxes on June 25 reminds us there is still much to be done to tackle economic inequality in Canada. The tax increase is targeted at those who have capital gains over $250,000 in a year, about 0.13 per cent of the population. It’s a symbolic step for addressing […]
Continue ReadingCapital gains tax increases a reminder of economic inequality in Canada
Pride Month is not only a time to celebrate 2SLGBTQ+ communities, but a call for more equitable policies across all sectors, from health to housing. Access to safe, stable and affordable housing is critical for good health. Recent government action on housing has largely focused on increasing housing affordability, while little is being done to […]
Continue ReadingPride Month highlights need to address 2SLGBTQ+ homelessness
The recently approved City of Toronto budget, which nearly doubled funding to the Toronto Community Crisis Service (TCCS), is a welcome step to better support people experiencing crisis. TCCS is a non-police-led mental health crisis response that some consider the city’s fourth emergency service. Vulnerable people experiencing a mental health crisis too often face coercive […]
Canadian healthcare institutions have rarely asked about the race or ethnicity of the people they serve. Contrary to popular belief, this is not because it’s illegal. Canadian institutions have simply been hesitant to openly discuss race and their role in racial discrimination. But waves of change are underway. As many healthcare institutions have turned their […]
Continue ReadingNeeded: A national approach to race-based data for health equity
Canadians are increasingly expressing worries about the collection and use of their data. Institutional and legislative measures exist to offer protection for our personal information. But traditional data governance practices have gaps that we will need to close if we want to be able to use data to improve the fairness of health systems. As […]
The unequal impact of COVID-19 on low-income and racialized groups became very evident during the first 18 months of the pandemic. A new study of the experiences of one of the hardest hit communities in Toronto – Spanish-speaking Latin Americans – is now shedding light on what can be done about the barriers to equitable […]
Continue ReadingLearning from the pandemic experiences of Latin Americans in Toronto
We wish to acknowledge this land on which the Wellesley Institute operates. For thousands of years, it has been the traditional land of the Huron-Wendat, the Seneca, and the Mississaugas of the Credit. Today, this meeting place is still the home to many Indigenous people from across Turtle Island and we are grateful to have the opportunity to work on this land.
Revised by the Ceremonial Committee at the University of Toronto Office of Indigenous Initiatives in April 2021.