Based on interviews with tenants who have been racially and economically marginalized and who are organizing to build power, this article makes the case that community organizing contributes to improved housing conditions, leading to healthier and more equitable communities.
This document summarizes results from a 2023–2024 survey of Ontario public health unit practices to promote healthy housing. Highlights of survey results are presented alongside public health roles and promising practices to address inadequate and unhealthy housing conditions as a determinant of health and key driver of health inequity.
Immigration status is a significant yet often overlooked determinant of health. This issue brief outlines the health and health equity impacts of immigration status for migrants in Canada to build understanding and guide public health planning, policy and action.
This blog post from the National Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health features a webinar recording and conceptual model outlining four key ways housing impacts health.
This report from the House of Commons Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs analyzes the housing crisis facing Indigenous Peoples in Canada, including its physical and mental health impacts. The report presents 20 recommendations to address systemic inequities and support long-term, sustainable and self-determined housing solutions.
Discover Season 2, Episode 4 “Disrupting for racial and climate justice,” by listening to the episode and/or reading the episode companion document, which includes a written transcript, key quotes, related resources and discussion questions to support reflection, sharing and action.
This Equity in Action story is distilled from an interview with David Surette, Public Health Nurse, COVID-19 Response Team; Nancy Green, Health Promoter, Healthy Communities Team; and Christine Johnson, Health Equity Lead, Science and System Performance within the Nova Scotia Health Authority. The interview took place in September 2022, and its details should be considered within the
This Equity in Action story is distilled from an interview with Sandy Zidner, Manager, Child Health and Development, and Rachael Markovsky, Manager, Communicable Disease Control, at Toronto Public Health. The interview took place in January 2023, and its details should be considered within the context of that time period. When community members were told by
Thriving, as opposed to surviving, can prevent ongoing homelessness and promote social justice. In this study, researchers explore the conditions needed for people leaving homelessness to sustain their housing, but also to create a life of meaning.
This story outlines how Cool Aid community organization and their partners responded to support people made vulnerable by their housing situation in Victoria, British Columbia during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Equity, community, collaboration, and holistic care were centered. Principles and practices to support improved relationships between community, primary care and public health are highlighted.
