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Promoting Health and Well-Being through Social Inclusion in Toronto

Social inclusion is increasingly being recognized as a social determinant of health. Though there is no singular definition of social inclusion, there is general understanding that a socially inclusive society is one in which people feel valued, their differences and rights are respected, and their basic needs are met so that they can live in dignity, and have their voices heard.

Toronto Public Health and Wellesley Institute undertook a two-part exploratory project to identify how to further promote social inclusion in Toronto. We identified 3 priority areas & 10 actions to strengthen our social infrastructure and create change at a broader systemic level. Read our synthesis of international and local evidence and implications for future action the report below.

Promoting Health and Well-Being through Social Inclusion in TorontoDownload
Sarah Sanford

Sarah Sanford

Dr. Sarah Sanford (she/her) is a qualitative researcher with a background in critical social sciences, global health governance and public health. She has worked across numerous applied health research and policy settings over the past 15 years, and most of this work has centred lived expertise in developing solutions to promote health and health equity. She has recently cultivated her thinking about the economic determinants of health and is currently researching wealth inequality and health equity in Toronto. Sarah holds a PhD from the University of Toronto and a Master’s degree from York University.

Brenda Roche

Brenda Roche

Dr. Brenda Roche is Director of Research at the Wellesley Institute. She was a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow in Anthropology and Health at the Gender, Violence and Health Centre of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. She comes with academic and community-based research experience exploring social and health issues in urban settings, including homelessness, sexual health, violence and psychological trauma and distress. Her doctorate, through the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, examined discourses on trauma that operate within the context of refugee resettlement, and how these influence health and social care practices for women (and their families) seeking political asylum in the United Kingdom.