Hastings and Prince Edward Counties/Feb. 1, 2023
February is Black History Month and the official theme this year is Black Excellence: A Heritage to Celebrate; a Future to Build. This month, Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) encourages local residents and organizations to recognize Black excellence, while also recognizing how Black Canadians face considerable health inequities because of racism in our health and social systems.
We know that in Canada, Black people experience poorer health outcomes compared to White people. For example, 14 per cent of Black Canadians 18 and older reported their health to be fair or poor compared to 11 per cent of White Canadians. The effects of systemic racism that Black Canadians experience contributes to these poorer health outcomes. This includes racial profiling, over-representation of Black youth and children in child welfare systems, discrimination and under-treatment in hospital and other healthcare settings.
At HPEPH, we recognize that racism rather than race is a social determinant of health. We are continuously working to increase our knowledge of anti-racist approaches, and build internal capacity to help change existing public policies, social and institutional practices, and cultural views that are at the root of race-based discrimination. We are working to implement our Health Equity Strategy 2023-2025, which aims to take action on the social determinants of health, such as racism. In 2023, health equity training was offered to staff at HPEPH and we continued to consider the health equity impacts of activities and programs, identifying and mitigating potential impacts when possible. The HPEPH Social Determinants of Health Nurse has continued to co-chair a local anti-racism working group through Quinte Local Immigration Partnership. In the coming years, we hope to improve our ability to report on health inequities and tailor programs and services to reach priority populations.
We recognize the harms of racism on the health of our communities, we understand there is much more work to do in order to reduce race-based health inequities. We are committed to continuously reviewing our efforts and identifying opportunities to help to support Black health, and promote Black excellence across our community.
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Maureen Hyland, Communications Specialist
hyland.maureen@hpeph.ca
Jessica Klein, Communications Specialist
jklein@hpeph.ca
About Hastings Prince Edward Public Health
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) is a public health agency that serves the counties of Hastings and Prince Edward from four local offices. HPEPH is situated and provides services on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe, Huron-Wendat and Haudenosaunee people. We monitor the health of our local population, deliver programs and services within our communities, and help develop healthy public policies. We provide information and support in many areas to help improve the health and well-being of our residents. Together with our communities, we help people become as healthy as they can be. For more information, please visit hpePublicHealth.ca. You can also find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
We invite community partners and residents to share this Media Release with their respective networks.
