By Sandra Sualim, President and CEO, Humber River Hospital Foundation and Barb Collins, President and CEO, Humber River Hospital

Toronto is one of the most marvelous cities in the world thanks to its diverse makeup. For this is key as we continue to improve on the healthcare we offer to our community.

As Black History Month comes to a close, we hope you’ve enjoyed our series where we highlighted what HRH is doing now and looking toward tomorrow:

• Fighting COVID-19: Vaccinating the Northwest (posted: Feb 10th)
• Research: Pioneering Research on the Impact of Long-COVID for Black People (posted: Feb 17th)

As February comes to an end, here are some of our thoughts for the future:

Sandra

Being a black woman, CEO and President of the Humber River Hospital Foundation, I experience and am able to impact the change needed for our black community. HRH aims to improve black health and wellness especially coming out of COVID-19 into a post-pandemic world for Toronto.

I know that the colour of my skin will in fact always be noticed. I am glad about this. Take a good look because this colour is also leading to transformational change and growth in health and wellness for millions of Torontonians. During , I am reminded that I am an advocate, an ally, and a champion.

We must not forget our past, but we must use the wisdom it gives us to be better. Our healthcare system should be defined by the people it serves. For the black community it is about having a platform to see our needs being observed, met, and not being forced into blanketed solutions.

I do not want to spend my time imagining what is possible and only inspiring through hope. I don’t want to hear, hey look there is a young black woman in a good position. Instead, I am a changemaker. Black History Month is a time for much more than reflection, it is a time that reminds me so clearly that each year is about action. I get up each day and I think about the mission of this Hospital and how it is about working together to deliver innovative, safe, and compassionate health care to our community.

Barb

The history of the black community acts as a guide and support toward what is ahead. How we change happens at many strategic levels. It happens with research and innovation, but it equally happens with governance and community voice. As our Hospital embraces a future that is brighter, we must do this with representation from our black community.

Reach out to us. Find out how you can get involved, how you can volunteer, connect at the systemic and board level, donate, and how you can contribute to a study like Long-COVID that is targeted at improving the lives of all racialized people in Toronto.

The time is now for applying the lessons we have learned from the pandemic towards improved care for all of our hardest hit communities. Let’s recognize that race, gender, and age are not what separates us but can be what brings us together. Forget the band aids – instead, we can learn from each other and drive forward solutions that are lasting and trustworthy.

Remember, the path ahead is full of possibility, and one in which our past will guide us as we move forward lighting new ways in healthcare together.

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To make better decisions, we need accurate information. Having data to support the needs of the Black community directly correlates to the delivery of care.�� reminds us that we need to know what impacts the lives of Black people in all areas, and health is a vital topic. Accurate data helps todays researchers figure out the real impact of COVID-19 based on past medical history, background, and geography. To get this data for all people, we need to continue to create an environment that is trustworthy and respectful.����

COVID-19 has been an eye-opener for the disparities between generally offered healthcare and the needs of racialized communities. Infection rates are disproportionately higher among these communities, including the Black community. Being Black and having low income is associated with an increased risk of hospitalization from COVID-19. Within Toronto, racialized communities, those with lower household incomes, and larger household sizes have disproportionately higher numbers of cases. ��

To this end, Humber River Hospital has created a research chair under the leadership of Dr. Nadine Akbar, PhD, to focus on the development and evaluation of programs to address health inequities within our community.����An immediate area of focus for Dr. Akbar is post COVID-19 condition, more commonly known as��Long COVID. Long COVID is the persistence of long-term symptoms (for 12 weeks or longer) following COVID-19 infection. The most common symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath, brain fog, depression and anxiety. Long COVID very often has a negative impact on daily functioning, with many not being able to return to work. Currently, there are no established guidelines for treating��Long COVID, but we know that treatments developed must be made culturally appropriate and suitable to the needs of racialized communities in order to be effective. Our proposed study aims to look at racialized communities to:��

1. Describe the symptoms and functional impact of living with Long COVID��
2. Identify the specific needs and barriers related to treatment and rehabilitation��
3. Further determine whether there are differences across racial groups with regards to symptoms, functional impacts, and needs/barriers��

To participate in, donate to, and find out more about this study, please reach out to the lead researcher, Dr. Nadine Akbar at��nakbar@hrh.ca.����

The more data gathered and investigated, the better our understanding of how we fight��Long-COVID for Toronto’s Black community. Together, this contributes to a brighter future with a more balanced offering of healthcare so we can continue to thrive.

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always brings a pause to reflect beyond the turbulence and racism of the past. Instead, think about celebrating the successes of black people. Black people are among those that are creating clarity in the gray areas to help push our healthcare system to an even better place. The efforts of allies and champions help reduce bias that ensure healthcare is provided without limitation.

COVID-19 put a spotlight on the inequities in our society. For the black community, it further raised worry and concern as the healthcare system struggled to balance out effective solutions. Ensuring that every group is represented and heard helps health and wellness take a front seat change-making for diversity, equity, and inclusion. We must think bigger and shed light on how different groups of people require different supports.

There is still tremendous distrust from many in racialized communities in terms of acceptance of the benefits of the COVID vaccine.

To support uptake, we changed our approach.�� We held town halls to educate our communities on vaccine safety- our first town hall held for the Black Community during Black History month one year ago!�� We changed our method of access at our vaccine clinic to a purely drop in based system.�� We set up hyperlocal community clinics to meet the community where they were.�� For example – we set up 6 vaccine clinics at a local mosque and 10 vaccine clinics out of a local church that has a large black community, which resulted in reaching thousands more people.

Most recently, we supported a large scale vaccination clinic called Vax the Northwest event at York University where we worked with our community partners and vaccinated nearly 1,700 people in just one day!�� The trusted faces and voices that communicate to and educate the community members about clinics lead to improved success.

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The Black Creek Community Farm are on a unique eight-acre property that includes pristine farmland, a heritage farmhouse and barn, and a surrounding forest that extends down into the Black Creek ravine.

Today, we’re shining a light on one of Humber River Hospital’s community partners, the Black Creek Community Farm who are situated on a unique eight-acre property that includes pristine farmland, a heritage farmhouse and barn, and a surrounding forest that extends down into the Black Creek ravine.

The Black Creek Community Farm is an urban agriculture centre that makes fresh, organic produce available to the local Jane and Finch community.�� The Farm also provides hands-on training and learning experiences.

“We prioritize Black residents locally who live and work in our community with access to produce and community programming,” says Fatin Chowdhury, Development and Communications Manager at the Black Creek Community Farm.

Black Creek Community Farm’s Accomplishments

The Black Creek Community Farm produced 22,000 lbs. of produce.

As many organizations have had numerous challenges due to the ongoing pandemic, the Black Creek Community Farm has continued their mission to serve and enrich their community.

Most recently, Fatin said that their farm finished a successful year producing 22,000 lbs. of produce that went towards their harvest share program and weekly market stands.

“In response to the disproportionate impacts of COVID-19 in our community, we implemented our Emergency Food Box program, which has delivered 30,068 emergency food boxes locally, and is equivalent to almost 490,000 lbs. of fresh produce.”

In addition, the Farm was selected for the national Nourish Leadership Anchor Cohort, alongside the Black Creek Community Health Centre. They are exploring interventions at the intersection of food and health.

The Farm’s Next Steps

Members of the Black Creek Community Farm.

While the Black Creek Community Farm is still experiencing winter weather, Fatin says that they are excited to resume their growing season in March since that is when their greenhouse and fields will be planted with crops.

Meanwhile, they are currently in the process of planning many more initiatives for their community.

“We are planning exciting community events for our residents, as well as developing workshops and kids’ camps for our youth and children living in the Black Creek neighbourhood. Next week, our Farm Education team is leading after-school workshops on vermicomposting, beekeeping, and how our food gets to our tables,” Fatin said.

Collaborating with Humber River Hospital

Urban Harvest Community Leaders

As the Black Creek Community Farm look forward to many more next steps, they are also looking forward to continue working together with Humber River Hospital.

“Our farm and the Hospital are both aligned in supporting our residents’ access to healthier food options and promoting a healthy environment to live and work in,” Fatin said. “As racialized folks have a complicated relationship to the medical-industrial complex, we want to build more relationships with Humber River Hospital where our residents feel safe accessing health services and better connecting to their bodies and minds.”

For more information on the Black Creek Community Farm, please visit their website at

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Over the last 33 years, Black Creek Community Health Centre (Black Creek CHC) has worked hard to serve area residents, including members of the African, Caribbean, and Black (ACB) communities, to nurture trust, enabling clients to cut through the noise of misinformation that inhibits access to care.��

When Representation Matters Most��

Cheryl Prescod, Executive Director at the Black Creek Community Health Centre.

Throughout the pandemic, Black Creek CHC has been successful in its community outreach to promote testing and improve vaccination rates among residents of Toronto’s Northwest.��

Last year, 38% of the clients accessing care, programs, and services at Black Creek CHC, identified as ACB.��

“As a Black-identifying woman, community leader, and parent, I value providing culturally sensitive information and healthcare,” says Cheryl Prescod, Executive Director at the Black Creek Community Health Centre. “I also recognize the importance of representation for many in the Black community whose history of mistrust toward the health care system still exists because they have experienced structural racism.”��������

Through her work, Cheryl, along with the health centre’s care team, which includes ACB health care professionals and program workers, remain committed to creating a non-judgmental environment that offers culturally safe and convenient access to care and trustworthy information.��

Achievements��

COVID-19 shifted the health centre’s focus from the prevention and management of disease to active management of the pandemic’s direct and indirect impacts on families.��

In addition to food and financial support related to the pandemic, the care team continued to provide culturally appropriate and continuing care to prevent diseases such as hypertension and diabetes, since the incidence of these diseases is disproportionately higher among members of Toronto’s Black, African and Caribbean community, largely due to a range of social determinants of health.��

In response, the health centre’s care professionals and health promotion staff collaborated with ACB community ambassadors, hired from within the community, as well as organizational partners to provide clients with access to trustworthy, accurate and timely information received from members of their own community.��

The Locker Room Series, hosted by Dwight Drummond.

Black Creek CHC worked with community partners, along with well-known and respected members of the ACB community, to provide and promote access to culturally sensitive, and timely information, supporting clients and community members, to make the right decisions for their families.��

The Locker Room Series, hosted by well-known Torontonian, Dwight Drummond, presented information sessions the ACB community could engage in and trust, which went a long way toward demonstrating Black Creek CHC’s extraordinary role, reach and influence in the community.��

Next Few Months��

The pandemic has highlighted how race and systemic racism increased vulnerability for many working members of the community and their families. As essential, front-line workers, unable to work from home, many in the ACB community rely on public transit to get to work. In most cases, these are the jobs that help keep the economy going throughout the pandemic. In addition, they are returning home to apartment buildings and neighbourhoods where social distancing is not a realistic option.��

Elevated risks of exposure combined with higher rates of pre-existing health conditions, like hypertension and diabetes, have also increased the likelihood for members of the ACB community to experience serious COVID-19 illness and death. Along with the social and emotional impact of the pandemic on this population group, it is anticipated that many in Northwest Toronto will suffer long-term economic hardships as well as disabilities associated with long-COVID syndrome that must be addressed.����

Community Health Centres��

The Black Creek Community Health Centre Vaccine Initiative Team.

To provide equitable and affordable care for all, Cheryl expressed that community-based healthcare is essential to support communities who face high-risk and vulnerable circumstances, particularly those without health insurance and those with lived experience of systemic discrimination.����

Due to this, she says that she and the rest of the Black Creek CHC Care Team are looking forward to work more with Humber River Hospital.��

“We’re excited to celebrate Black History Month and find new ways to collaborate on building trust and a sense of safety and security for those seeking healthcare in our community.”������

For more information on the Black Creek Community Health Centre, please visit their website at ��

��

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Aseefa Sarang, Executive Director at Across Boundaries.

“All our services and programs are developed for Black and racialized communities. Over half of the people that use our services are Black. More importantly, we incorporate anti-racism, anti-oppression and anti Black racism frameworks in all our services,” explains Aseefa Sarang, Executive Director at Across Boundaries.��

“Across Boundaries believes that understanding the social determinants of mental health is essential in therapeutic encounters with clients. It is crucial that we not only understand the cultures, but we comprehend the current social realities that impacts their health and well-being.”��

Across Boundaries Achievements��

Just like every organization, the pandemic brought numerous challenges. Aseefa said that COVID-19 shone�� a spotlight on the disparities in mental health for racialized and Black communities, food insecurities, and the repercussions from the tragedy that shook the world – the very public murder of George Floyd. However, they rallied, came together, and continued the work for which they were founded.����

A staff member at Across Boundaries with bags of food to deliver to the community.

She added that many of the people that Across Boundaries serves didn’t have food, a phone, and/or a�� data plan during these times.����

“With the help of our funders and Telus, we distributed cellphones so that people could stay connected.�� Our agency began offering daily culturally appropriate food hampers, hot meals and groceries to African, Black, and Caribbean members in the community. Agency staff went to parks and other public places to connect with those who may be homeless or without support and connected them to the meal program and counsellors for additional services.”��

Across Boundaries even expanded their hours to provide support six days a week and 12 hours a day during these difficult times.����

“We continued to provide a circle of care by remaining open, available, and accessible to the Black and racialized people we serve,” Aseefa said.����

Across Boundaries Programs����

A one-on-one meeting at Across Boundaries.

Across Boundaries has had many requests to provide Anti-Black racism/Anti-oppression corporate training to other organizations. Due to this, they are excited to have recently hired a full-time trainer to share more knowledge and to create a greater systemic change.

“Across Boundaries believes in the importance of holistic practices in aiding people along their mental�� health healing journeys by incorporating complementary programs and techniques that support the mind body connection. We have various upcoming online health programs from meditation, to yoga to nutrition to employment, and so much more. They are all available online and free for Black and racialized communities,” Aseefa said. ��

They are also in the process of launching Our Stories, Our Voices: Black LGBTQ+ Mental Health Leadership�� Program, a 17-week immersive fellowship centred on intersectional mental health and the Spring�� instalment of Inhale/Exhale – feel-good, heart-centred, and free programming for the Queer & Trans Black, Indigenous, & People of Colour (QTBIPOC) will be kicking off shortly.��

Collaborating with Humber River Hospital��

In addition to the programs that Across Boundaries has available, Aseefa said that they are really excited to be a part of the Northwest Toronto Ontario Health Team, in which Humber River Hospital is a key partner.��

“We’ve already started working together with Humber River Hospital on many initiatives, including health equity. We’re looking forward to collaborating on many more projects that will not only be beneficial to the diverse communities in the Northwest Toronto area, but will also aim to address the very real systemic barriers to care that the community experiences.”��

For more information on Across Boundaries, please visit their website at

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By Sandra Sualim, President and CEO, Humber River Hospital Foundation and Barb Collins, President and CEO, Humber River Hospital

With this year’s theme of February and Forever: Celebrating Black History today and every day for Black History Month, we see an opportunity to bring even more awareness to the work of (HRH) and our Foundation.

The past 2 years have shown us that while the COVID-19 pandemic is partially an equalizer, it also exposed massive divides between different communities. The Black community has different needs, frames of reference, and history with healthcare that impacts beliefs and experiences. Many racialized communities still generally struggle with healthcare partially due to a lack of trust in the system, and radically different access to services.

Quality of care is always paramount. Toronto communities are some of the most diverse in the world and to deliver the best this needs to be noticed. We are all worthy of respect, of excellent care, and the effort to solve the medical challenges for every age, gender, and race.

This year, we are showcasing current topics in healthcare that directly impact the health and wellness of black people. HRH knows a community must feel confident in its hospital and we are actively brightening up our Hospital’s path. We invite you to join us each Thursday in February as we explore these topics – Sandra will bring her perspective as a black leader in Toronto and Barb as an ally and champion for the community:

• Fighting COVID-19: Vaccinating the Northwest (coming: Feb 10th)
• Research: Pioneering Research on the Impact of Long-COVID for Black People (coming: Feb 17th)
• Next Steps: Defining next steps for a better tomorrow for Black Health and Wellness (coming: Feb 24th)

Each year as Humber reflects during Black History Month, we are reminded of its origin. It is about highlighting the successes of black people to go beyond racism and to support a future where all are involved in achievements. We know the road ahead is always partially in the shadows but walk with us as we light new ways in healthcare for our black community.

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