Co-Design of strategies to enhance access to Virtual Urgent Care models by equity-deserving populations
# 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.
Enhancing comprehensive in primary care: results of a cross-sectional survey of primary care social workers in Ontario, Canada
Integrating theory and practice: the core components guide for rigorous quality improvement design
# Abstract
Quality improvement (QI) methods have been used extensively to support the delivery of safe, timely, effective, equitable, and cost-effective health care. While QI initiatives have demonstrated benefits, critical gaps in design and implementation undermine their impact.
Learning from patients about their experiences with early adoption of virtual care appointments in primary care in Ontario, Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study
Commentary – Nature prescribing: emerging insights about reconciliation-based and culturally inclusive approaches from a tricultural community health centre
# Abstract
This commentary highlights the importance of social and nature prescribing programs reflecting culturally diverse perspectives and practices. Creating and holding space for Indigenous and other worldviews should be a key priority of nature prescribing, a relatively recent practice in Canada that recognizes and promotes health benefits associated with engaging in a variety of activities in natural settings.
Social health—the neglected third pillar
This editorial by from The Lancet Public Health is a response to the flagship report From loneliness to social connection - charting a path to healthier societies, published by the WHO on June 30, 2025. The editorial summarizes the WHO report and emphasizes the essential nature of social connection for the health and resilience of individuals and societies, and it calls on governments to "make social health, with social connection at its core, a priority."
“Round Peg in a Square Hole”: Lessons from Community Health Promotion Practice on Dynamics of Accountability, Reporting and Evaluation, and Governance
# Abstract
This paper presents results from a small-scale institutional ethnography study of reporting requirements and evaluation practices in two urban community health centers (CHCs), as a sample of community-based nonprofit organizations that focus on social justice and health equity. The study illuminated complex relationships among accountability, reporting and evaluation, and governance.
The Time is Now, but Mind the Gaps: Communities – Governance – Implementation
Supported by the increasing body of knowledge on how to achieve coherent, integrated care and support in communities and countries, the movement towards integrated care is now stronger than ever. The current stress on many healthcare systems increases the urgency. International bodies have pointed out the need to focus on person- and community-centred integrated care.