Community Health Workers Addressing Health Inequities Within Canada's Publically Funded Health Care System: The Role of Multicultural Health Brokers

The research utilizes a case study design to gather entry-level data (micro) and level two data (macro) using participant and direct observation, personal interviews, document review, and analysis of archival records and artefacts. The multicultural health brokers are bilingual and bicultural workers who come from the communities they serve. They have cultural knowledge about their communities, and are familiar with Canada's formal health and social service systems and culture. This dual knowledge enables them to bridge cultural differences and advocate for health equity for immigrants and refugees. In Edmonton, these health brokers work in multiple areas of health and social development, providing services in their first language to approximately 1500 immigrant and refugee families from at least 18 different cultural backgrounds. Currently, these health brokers are supported through service contracts with the provincial health and social services ministries. The multicultural health brokering practice has both individual components – providing personal care, organizing supportive groups – and community components – mobilizing leaders of cultural groups, advocating for policy changes that address health inequities. The interplay of Canada's health and social policies is key to determining health brokers' success, either facilitating or hindering access to resources for marginalized populations and consequent progress toward social justice. Multicultural health brokers contribute to effectively addressing health equity issues at the service delivery level. As lay/CHWs, they are a significant provider of care for marginalized populations in the health care and social service sector. This role should be recognised in developing equitable health and social policies.