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Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Black Communities in Canada

Author

Listed:
  • Janet Kemei

    (Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9, Canada)

  • Mia Tulli

    (Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9, Canada)

  • Adedoyin Olanlesi-Aliu

    (Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9, Canada)

  • Modupe Tunde-Byass

    (Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A1, Canada)

  • Bukola Salami

    (Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9, Canada)

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in differential impacts on the Black communities in Canada and has unmasked existing race-related health inequities. The purpose of this study was to illuminate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on Black people in Canada. Historically, social inequalities have determined the impacts of pandemics on the population, and in the case of the COVID-19 pandemic, disproportionate infections and mortalities have become evident among racialized communities in Canada. This qualitative descriptive study utilized an intersectionality framework. We invited Black stakeholders across Canada to participate in semi-structured interviews to deepen our knowledge of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on Black communities in Canada. A total of 30 interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using content analysis. Our findings fell into three categories: (1) increased vulnerability to COVID-19 disease, (2) mental impacts, and (3) addressing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings show the underlying systemic inequities in Canada and systemic racism exacerbated health inequities among the Black communities and undermined interventions by public health agencies to curb the spread of COVID-19 and associated impacts on Black and other racialized communities. The paper concludes by identifying critical areas for future intervention in policy and practice.

Suggested Citation

  • Janet Kemei & Mia Tulli & Adedoyin Olanlesi-Aliu & Modupe Tunde-Byass & Bukola Salami, 2023. "Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Black Communities in Canada," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-16, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:2:p:1580-:d:1036626
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Melanie Knight & Renée Nichole Ferguson & Rai Reece, 2021. "“It’s Not Just about Work and Living Conditions”: The Underestimation of the COVID-19 Pandemic for Black Canadian Women," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-17, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Aisha Giwa & Morolake Adeagbo & Shirley Anne Tate & Mia Tulli-Shah & Bukola Salami, 2023. "COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates and Vaccine Hesitancy among Black People in Canada," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(23), pages 1-12, November.

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