Recognizing the over-representation of Blacks among people with illness and diseases such as hypertension, diabetes and HIV/AIDS, and that racism and other forms of oppression affect the health of the community, BHA made it its mission to help reduce the racial disparities in health outcomes and promote health and wellbeing for people from the diverse Black communities with emphasis on the broad determinants of health, including racism.
Since 2015, the BHA has hosted the annual A ... Devamını Oku
Recognizing the over-representation of Blacks among people with illness and diseases such as hypertension, diabetes and HIV/AIDS, and that racism and other forms of oppression affect the health of the community, BHA made it its mission to help reduce the racial disparities in health outcomes and promote health and wellbeing for people from the diverse Black communities with emphasis on the broad determinants of health, including racism.
Since 2015, the BHA has hosted the annual A Sound Mind forum which focuses on mental health in the Black community. The group also acknowledges the United Nations' declaration of the International Decade for People of African Descent.
In 2002, the BHA participated in a national review of Canada’s health care system led by the Commission on the Future of Health Care in Canada. Recommendations were provided on creating an equitable, feasible and sustainable health care system, which also addressed racial disparities along with workable solutions.
In 2004, as part of the Ontario Government’s health care reform, BHA submitted a proposal to specifically serve Black and marginalized communities.
In 2005, BHA received its non-profit incorporation status.
By 2006, the collaborative effort with many community partners resulted in funding from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to establish a Community Health Centre (CHC) in the Scarborough Malvern neighbourhood. The CHC named TAIBU, means “be in good health” in Kiswahili, a dominant language in eastern and south eastern Africa.
BHA continues to build community presence by participating in initiatives such as the Black Physicians’ Association of Ontario’s (BPAO) plan to increase the number of Black medical students with help from the University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine Learning Diversity office. Fun and healthy activities like the Jamaican Canadian Association’s annual walkathon doubles the fitness benefit as a fundraiser for participating organizations.
On a regular basis BHA supports partner organizations including the Caribbean Chapter of the Canadian Diabetes Association’s Annual Black Diabetes Expo. The organization assists and collaborates with The Olive Branch of Hope—a breast cancer support group. Support is also given to The Walnut Foundation—a men’s health initiative and the Sickle Cell Awareness Group of Ontario. BHA is committed to providing relevant insight for a variety of social service related meetings and initiatives and undertakes research and education that is pertinent to our community. Most important, we aim to expand our resources to respond to the healthcare needs of the Black community.
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