Health Equity
Creating a health system where everyone feels safe, respected, and supported.
Because where you live, who you are, and what you’ve experienced should never be barriers to care.
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Why Health Equity Matters
Not everyone experiences care in the same way.
Things like income, housing, culture, language, identity, and past experiences can shape how easy—or difficult—it is to access care and feel safe doing so.
Health equity means recognizing these differences and working to remove barriers so everyone can get the care they need.
Equality vs Equity
The Ontario Health Team of Northumberland (OHT-N) Health Equity Committee is a collaborative table comprised of partner organizations from across Northumberland County’s health care and social service sectors. Together, we are committed to advancing health equity as a shared responsibility across our system of care.
We recognize that health outcomes and care experiences are shared by social determinants of health – including personal, social, economic and environmental factors – and that these factors impact patients, families, and caregivers in different and often inequitable ways. We further acknowledge that inequities are experienced by those seeking care and those who provide it.
Our committee is committed to embedding the principles of equity, inclusion, diversity and anti-racism (EIDA-R), as well as Indigenous Cultural Awareness & Safety (ICAS), into planning, decision-making, partnerships, and service delivery. We strive to create environments where patients, caregivers, communities and service providers feed respected, heard and safe.
We understand that advancing health equity requires sustained, intentional effort. This work demands ongoing reflection, relationship-building, and continuous learning, including listening to the voices of those with lived and living experience and to communities who have been historically underserved or marginalized.
Through partnership, humility, and shared leadership, the OHT-N Health Equity Committee seeks to foster a more equitable, inclusive and culturally safe health and social service system for all people in Northumberland County.
Our Commitment
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These resources may be helpful for individuals, caregivers, and community organizations supporting diverse populations across Northumberland.
2SLGBTQIA+ Supports
Local
Trans Peer Outreach – CMHA HKPR
Peer-based support for trans and gender-diverse individuals, including one-on-one connection and help navigating local services.
PFLAG Canada (Cobourg / Port Hope Chapter)
Peer support for 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals and families in the Cobourg and Port Hope area.
Rainbow Youth Program – PARN
Inclusive program supporting 2SLGBTQIA+ youth through connection, education, and community.
Gender Affirming Care – Community Health Centres of Northumberland
Primary care and referrals supporting gender-diverse individuals.
Nearby
Gender Care – Durham Community Health Centre
Specialized services including hormone therapy, assessments, and ongoing care.
Rainbow Health Ontario
Province-wide resources, training, and guidance to support 2SLGBTQIA+ health equity.
Sherbourne Health – 2SLGBTQ+ Programs
Comprehensive health and social services tailored to 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.
Gender Identity Clinic – CAMH
Specialized mental health and assessment services for individuals exploring gender identity.
Gender Care Clinic – SickKids
Gender-affirming care and support for children, youth, and families.
Gender Diversity Clinic – CHEO
Care and support services for gender-diverse children, youth, and families.
The 519
Community centre offering advocacy, programs, and support for 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.
Indigenous Health
Alderville First Nation - Health & Social Services
Address: 8465 45, Roseneath ON K0K 2X0
Phone: 905-352-2140
Alderville First Nation - Child & Family Wellbeing
Alderville Health & Social Services offers a wide range of programs and services to community members of Alderville.
Address: 5431 Minnetonka Rd, Roseneath ON K0K 2X0
Phone: 905-352-3765
Niijkiwendidaa AnishnaAbekwewag Services Circle
NASC is dedicated to the development and delivery of healing services for Anishnaabe'ikawag (Indigenous women) and their families who have experienced violence, or are at risk of experiencing violence.
Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre
The Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre is a culture and community based charitable organization that strives to enhance the quality of life and living for Indigenous people living in the city of Peterborough and the surrounding area.
Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag Child & Family Services
Indigenous-led child and family services grounded in culture and community.
Indigenous Primary Health Care Council
Supports Indigenous-led health services and culturally appropriate care models.
Indigenous Health Programs – Northumberland (Central East Healthline)
Directory of Indigenous health services available locally.
Francophone & Active Offer
Francophone Community – Northumberland County
Access French-language health and community services in the region.
ACFOMI – Employment & Integration Services
Supports Francophone newcomers with employment, training, and settlement services.
Cultural & Newcomer Supports
Northumberland Welcome Pass – New Canadians Centre
Helps newcomers connect to local services, programs, and supports.
Welcome to Northumberland
Information and resources for individuals and families new to the region.
ESL / FSL Training Programs – Northumberland County
Language training programs to support communication and integration.
Equity Resources & System Supports
EDI Terminology Guide
Defines key concepts and language related to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Days of Awareness Calendar
Highlights key diversity and inclusion dates throughout the year.
Ontario Health - Equity, Inclusion, Diversity & Anti-Racism in Health
Provides evidence-based guidance to improve health care quality and equity.
Patient Ombudsman
Helps resolve complaints about Ontario’s public health care system.
Public Health Ontario – Health Equity
Data, tools, and evidence to support health equity planning and action.
Ontario Human Rights Code
Legal protections against discrimination in Ontario.
Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion
Tools, research, and training to support inclusive workplaces and communities.
Health Equity Charter
Framework outlining commitments to advancing equity in health systems.
Community Supports
Learning and Training
Build knowledge and skills to support more equitable, inclusive, and culturally safe care across your organization or practice.
Foundations of health equity
Equity, Inclusion, Diversity, and Anti-Racism Education
Ontario Health / Quorum resource hub for EIDA-R education and related learning opportunities.
Introduction to Health Equity online course
Foundational course from the National Collaborating Centre for Determinants of Health on core health equity concepts and approaches.
Health Equity Impact Assessment (HEIA) online course
Introductory training on using the HEIA tool to consider how programs or policies may affect different populations.
Health Equity Training Modules, Tools, and Resources
Collection of practical tools and training resources from the Alliance for Healthier Communities.
Applying an Equity Lens When Caring for Your Population
Webinar focused on integrating equity into planning and care delivery.
Anti-Black racism and anti-racism
Black Health Education Collaborative
Educational resources focused on improving Black health outcomes and advancing anti-racist practice.
TAHSN Introduction to Anti-Black Racism e-Learning Module
Toronto Academic Health Science Network education hub for anti-Black racism learning.
Introduction to Anti-Black Racism e-Learning Module
Direct link to the module referenced in the document.
LAMP Community Health Centre Participatory Anti-Black Racism Training Series
Training series designed to build understanding of anti-Black racism in the Canadian context.
Registration contact for LAMP training
Email contact for information related to registration
feedback@lampchc.org
Sickle Cell Disease Quality Standard Overview
Quality standard overview to support better care and outcomes for people living with sickle cell disease.
Immigrant and Refugee Mental Health
CAMH resource supporting culturally responsive mental health care for immigrant and refugee populations.
Building the Foundations of Anti-Oppressive Healthcare
Learning resource focused on anti-oppressive practice in healthcare settings.
Indigenous cultural awareness and safety
Indigenous Relationship and Cultural Awareness Courses
Ontario Health learning portal for foundational Indigenous cultural awareness training.
Anishinaabe Mino’Ayaawin – People in Good Health training
Cultural safety training offered through the Indigenous Primary Health Care Council.
San’yas Anti-Racism Indigenous Cultural Safety Training Program
Well-known Indigenous cultural safety and anti-racism training program.
Indigenous Healthcare Education and Practice
Community-led learning resource tied to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action.
Canadian Virtual Hospice Indigenous Cultural Safety Training
Training focused on advanced illness, palliative care, and grief.
Inuuqatigiit’s Bridging the Gap: Inuit Cultural Presentations
Presentation and booking information for Inuit cultural learning sessions.
Wabano-win Indigenous Cultural Safety Training
Indigenous cultural safety training from the Wabano Centre.
Ne’Ikaanigaana Toolkit (“All our Relations”)
Guidance for creating safer environments for Indigenous peoples.
French language services
The Active Offer of French Language Health Services: Why it Matters and How to Put It Into Practice
Training resource for providers on proactively offering services in French.
2SLGBTQIA+ learning
Rainbow Health Ontario Courses
Training hub with courses and education for inclusive and affirming care.
Intro to Gender Diversity
Introductory learning module on gender diversity and inclusive practice.
Primary Care Guide to Caring for Trans and Gender-Diverse Patients
Clinical guidance for providing affirming primary care.
Leading and Learning with PRIDE
Toolkit supporting inclusive care for 2SLGBTQI+ seniors.
Best Practice Guideline: Promoting 2SLGBTQI+ Health Equity
Evidence-based guideline for improving care experiences and outcomes.
Tools and Frameworks
Resources to support planning, evaluation, and delivery of equitable care.
Planning and policy tools
Ontario Health’s Equity, Inclusion, Diversity and Anti-Racism Framework
Framework for embedding EIDA-R principles into health system planning and decision-making.
A Black Health Plan for Ontario
Strategic resource focused on improving Black health outcomes across Ontario.
Social Determinants of Health Snapshot
Public Health Ontario resource summarizing key social determinants of health data.
Health Equity Impact Assessment Tool
Ontario’s HEIA resource for assessing equity impacts in planning and policy work.
Health Care Standards Recommendations
Recommendations related to the development of health care standards in Ontario.
Data Standards for the Identification and Monitoring of Systemic Racism
Guidance on collecting and using race-based data to identify systemic inequities.
What Is Disability Justice?
Overview of disability justice principles and framework.
Health Equity | Institute for Healthcare Improvement
IHI resource hub on health equity in quality improvement work.
Data, research, and reports
Enhancing Socio-Demographic Data Collection in Long-Term Care Settings
Report on improving socio-demographic data collection practices.
Socio-Demographic Data and Equity in Health Services in Ontario
Wellesley Institute report on data collection and equity in health services.
Black Health Alliance – Resource Hub
Collection of reports, tools, and learning resources related to Black health equity.
Black Experiences in Health Care Symposium
Health Commons Solutions Lab resource focused on Black experiences in health care.
The Health Effects of Anti-Black Racism
The Local article exploring the health impacts of anti-Black racism.
Resource Library | Rainbow Health Ontario
Broader resource library on 2SLGBTQ health topics.
Primary Health Care for Trans Patients
Clinical resource for trans-inclusive primary health care.
2SLGBTQ Health Resources
Rainbow Health Ontario resource collection for 2SLGBTQ health topics.
Ontario Human Rights Commission – Resource List
Human rights resource list relevant to equity and inclusion work.
Practice supports and teaching resources
Trauma-Informed Care Teaching Activities and Resources
RNAO teaching tools and resources related to trauma-informed care.
Trauma-Informed Care Resources
NWAC STBBI resource page on trauma-informed care.
The Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion
Toolkit library supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion learning.
Key Public Health Resources for Anti-Racism Action
Curated list from the National Collaborating Centre for Determinants of Health.
Educational Resources on Anti-Racism
University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine resource collection.
Global Diversity and Inclusion Benchmarks
Benchmarking resource from the Centre for Global Inclusion.
Government of Canada – Anti-Racism Resources
Federal anti-racism resource page.
Guidance: Collection and Use of Sociodemographic Data for Equity Analytics
High-level guidance for standardizing the collection and utilization of
sociodemographic data within health care encounters.
Measuring Health Equity: Demographic Data Collection in Healthcare
Training resource on demographic data collection in health care.
The Coin Model of Privilege and Critical Allyship: Implications for Health
Scholarly article exploring privilege, allyship, and implications for health.
Understanding Health Equity
Health equity means everyone has the opportunity to reach their full health potential and receive care that is fair and appropriate to their needs.
Health outcomes are shaped by more than medical care alone. Social determinants of health include the conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live, and age, as well as the wider forces and systems that shape daily life.
These factors can include income, housing, education, language, culture, identity, discrimination, and access to services. They affect people differently and can create barriers to health and care.
Recognizing these differences is an important part of building a more equitable, inclusive, and culturally safe system of care.
