NEEDED: A Diversity Based Approach To Healthcare In Canada

By Allan Jones
Pride Health Columnist

On Monday, Canada celebrated its 146th birthday. Many of us joined in the festivities by celebrating Canada Day in this wonderful country. Canada is known worldwide for its multiculturalism, an acceptance that the fabric of Canada depends on the input of many differing ethnicities. However, as immigrants of African heritage, or for those of us born here, who are Black, we find that the acceptance of diversity does not extend to healthcare, and the treatments we receive from medical practitioners and the auxiliary organizations that contribute to healthcare, is based on a “one size fits all” approach, which tends to be Eurocentric.

In Canada disease situations based on race, is not data that is collected or readily available, but there is a lot of evidence available elsewhere, that shows that Black individuals are affected differently by many disease and therefore should receive specific messaging and therapies to deal with their specific situations.

Let us look at some common afflictions that affect our community:

Lupus is a disease in which the body attacks its own healthy tissues and organs. Black women are three times more likely to get lupus than White women. The disease also develops at a younger age and carries more severe symptoms in Black women. Despite this, the Black community is not targeted with specific messages regarding lupus, so many women go untreated with this hard to diagnose condition, and may not access agencies that can help.

Sickle Cell Disease affects many ethnicities, but is at a disproportionately higher rate in Black individuals. However despite the devastating nature of this disease, many still remain unaware of the disease, and still bring children with the full blown disease. Also many medical practitioners are unable to properly treat patients presenting with a sickle cell crisis.

Breast Cancer carries a triple negative category where growth of the cancer is not supported by hormonal estrogen and progesterone. Black women are three times more likely develop this type of breast cancer, which is about 10-20% of all breast cancers. It affects women in their early thirties; it is a very aggressive type of cancer, and can lead to death by the mid-thirties. However there is a great disconnect with the messaging coming from the Canadian Cancer Society where women are encouraged to do a mammogram when they are in their late forties. By then it is too late for many Black women.

Prostate Cancer is a big problem among middle aged men. Black men have higher rates of this cancer. There is a need for a sustained prostate cancer messaging from the Canadian Cancer Society and other agencies, directed to our community. Men should be constantly encouraged to do the prostate cancer screening tests, and partake in positive lifestyle changes like resorting to anti-cancer diets.

Diabetes is a very devastating disease at epidemic proportions in the Black community. We commend the Canadian Diabetes Association for seeing the need to have an annual Black Diabetes Expo, for the past four years, and supporting the Caribbean Diabetes Chapter founded by diabetes educator Kathy Nelson. There is still room for more community activity as we strive to deal with this disease that affects over 9 million Canadians, from head to toe, and the number keeps growing year after year.

Sodium (salt) Content of common foods is a big contributor to high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney disease, stomach cancer and any other illnesses. The federal government, through Bill C-460 Sodium Reduction Strategy for Canada Act, is putting forward changes to reduce the daily recommended salt intake in Canada to 2300mg from 3400mg. This effort is commendable, however studies indicate that Black individuals need only 1500mg of salt per day, and levels above that can have deleterious effects. Our processed food manufacturers and our local Caribbean and African restaurants, need to be directed to reduce the salt content of their products and meals. Too much salt in our diet is literally killing our community.

There are many more situations where it is clear that the “one size fits all” medical approach is inadequate and inappropriate, and does not work for the Black and many other communities. Now what?

As voters and citizens of Canada, we should encourage all three levels of government, municipal, provincial and federal, to live up to the diversity focus of Canada, and support initiatives that promote specific health messages to different communities based on their propensity to be affected by certain diseases. This is a fiscally sound approach as preventative programs will save money by preventing diseases from being manifested totally, or manifested at less devastating levels. We need to be reached where we are, with ethnically appropriate messaging.

Our health and future is in our hands. Let us get active and engage our politicians and decision makers in serious dialogue about our health. A diversity approach to Canadian healthcare is long overdue. Our future depends on it.

Allan Jones is a Health Promoter and Broadcaster. He can be reached at ajones@jjmedical.ca.