NHP Seminar: Building a Database to Advance Black Health Research and Equity in Canada

Join us for our next Network for Healthy Populations Seminar on Monday, November 17, 2025, at 12 p.m. EDT. 

Please register for this event here.

Building a Database to Advance Black Health Research and Equity in Canada

Speaker: Rayshaun Whyte

This presentation examines the critical gap in race-based healthcare data in Ontario, with a specific focus on the Black, African, and Caribbean communities in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and beyond. By highlighting how the absence of such data shapes health outcomes, diagnoses, access to care, and treatment, we bring attention to systemic inequities in the healthcare system. Our team compiled evidence into clear categories, using only publicly available sources from professional databases and across the internet. The goal was to create an inclusive, safe, and accessible resource for the public—one that acknowledges how social determinants such as race, economics, immigration status, and language barriers intersect with health and healthcare access. This work invites discussion on the urgent need for transparent, community-centered data collection and analysis to improve healthcare equity for Black populations in Canada.

The learning objectives of this seminar are to:

• Identify the gaps in race-based healthcare data in Ontario, particularly as they affect Black, African, and Caribbean communities in the GTA.
• Analyze how the lack of disaggregated data influences health outcomes, diagnosis, access to services, and treatment for these populations.
• Evaluate the role of social determinants of health—such as race, economics, immigration status, and language barriers—in shaping healthcare inequities and explore strategies to make health information more inclusive and accessible.

Biography for Rayshaun Whyte

Rayshaun Jade Whyte is a recent graduate of the University of Toronto, where she completed studies in psychology, anthropology, and biology to gain a multidisciplinary understanding of the social and scientific factors shaping healthcare. She is currently pursuing a postgraduate program in Health Studies at Toronto Metropolitan University, focusing on critical analysis, ethical considerations, and community health initiatives.

With a passion for advancing health equity, Rayshaun is working to build the knowledge and skills necessary to become a strong advocate for Black, African, and Caribbean communities in Canada. As a Black identifying woman herself, this field of health care is especially important to her. Previous experiences in the Canadian healthcare system have emboldened and empowered her to make a key difference in her community. This collaborative work emphasizes the importance of inclusive, accessible, and community-centered approaches to healthcare that take into account the complex intersections of race, economics, immigration status, and language barriers.

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Audience: Attendance is open to U of T faculty, trainees, students, and all Network for Healthy Populations community partners

Please register for this event here.

CME Credits

The Network for Healthy Populations Seminar Series is pleased to announce that we offer CME credits. In order to receive written documentation for Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits, please check “Yes” beside the question “Do you require CME credits?” at registration.

College of Family Physicians of Canada Mainpro+® Certified Activity

This activity meets the certification criteria of the College of Family Physicians of Canada and has been certified by Continuing Professional Development, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto for up to 1.0 Mainpro+® Certified Activity credits.

Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada – Section 1

This event is an Accredited Group Learning Activity (Section 1) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification Program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, and approved by Continuing Professional Development, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto. You may claim up to a maximum of 1.0 hours (credits are automatically calculated).

For questions, please contact: director.novonordiskhp@utoronto.ca