Source
# About the Project
Challenging Compounding Disadvantage is a community-based research project that explored the compounded effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on immigrants and refugees living with cancer or mental health and addiction disorders. Historically excluded from mainstream studies, these vulnerable populations face unique intersectional social and clinical challenges that make them especially susceptible to the adverse effects of crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.
Drawing on existing data, the team’s findings shed light on the urgent need to address the disparities these communities face during times of crisis, asking: What happens to those who are at the intersection of social and clinical disadvantage during a pandemic? What can we do better? The study provides a roadmap for building crisis-resistant health systems that centre equity, creating lasting protection for Canada's most vulnerable communities by addressing both clinical needs and social determinants.
Challenging Compounding Disadvantage was led by Dr. Mandana Vahabi alongside a team of researchers from the University of Toronto, Toronto Metropolitan University, Women’s College Hospital, Access Alliance, and other key partners.
# Project Resources
- Peer-reviewed article: Navigating Equitable Access to Cancer and Mental Health Services During Pandemics: Stakeholder Perspectives on COVID-19 Challenges and Community-Based Solutions for Immigrants and Refugees – Proceedings from Think Tank Sessions (Healthcare, March 2025). This article describes two Think Tank events that were held with community members and other research partners, as well as the learnings from those sessions.
- Blog post: Bridging gaps in care: Reimagining Ontario’s health system for immigrants and refugees (Healthy Debate, May 13, 2025). This post on Healthy Debate describes the project lists key learnings/calls to action for Ontario's health system.
- Webinar Report: Bridging Gaps in Care: Reimagining Ontario's Health System for Immigrants and Refugees (Access Alliance). This report provides a detailed description of one of the virtual think-tank sessions. It describes the content of the didactic presentation as well as the insights that were shared by participants in small-group discussions and collected using Google Docs. You can download session presentation slides here.