Advancing equity by reducing barriers and disrupting oppression

# Abstract

# Author summary

In 2020, Ontario rolled out virtual urgent care (VUC) to help people with minor health issues during the pandemic, but people from under-served communities, which may include people with disabilities, who are from a visible minority or who are from the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, often struggle to access these services.

In 2024, Alliance members passed a resolution to support the adoption of CAPSA’s Substance Use Health Framework. 

Timely access to abortion services improves the health and wellbeing of individuals accessing this service. However, access to abortion services is not distributed equitably across Ontario. Low and no touch medication abortions can help address barriers faced by many people in Ontario by providing low-barrier access to proven safe and effective abortion care.  

# Executive Summary

To capture the impacts of the cuts to this important program, the Health Network for Uninsured Clients (HNUC) surveyed members working directly with uninsured people and interviewed key informants about their experiences providing care to their uninsured clients since the removal of the PHSUP policy.

# Executive Summary

It has been more than 20 years since the National Academy of Medicine published their report, Unequal Treatment: Confronting Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health Care, and despite decades of efforts, true health equity remains a distant goal.

This toolkit was produced for use by working groups and support structures of the Frontenac, Lennox, and Addington Ontario Health Team (FLA OHT). However, it may be useful for other mainstream and Indigenous organizations, as well. This document is thus being made publicly available. Please cite appropriately if using it as a reference. 

A "Results in Brief" for this report can be found here. 

# ABSTRACT 

Healthcare should be for everyone, but for newcomer women, it often isn’t. Thorncliffe Park and Flemingdon Park are vibrant, diverse “arrival communities” and home to thousands of newcomer women building their futures. Yet for many, simply accessing basic healthcare remains an uphill climb.