Access to Health Care for Canadians of African Descent

Background: Although African Nova Scotians have lived in Canada for centuries, they continue to face barriers to health care,. and they  are under-represented in the health research, and  health policy arenas.  This paper presents a key theme from the findings of a three year study that investigated the health status and health care experiences of Black women living in rural and remote regions of Nova Scotia, Canada.

Methods: Mixed method guided by the tenets of participatory action research (PAR). Data was collected through interviews, focus groups and demographic questionnaire. 237 women participated in the study. Qualitative data was transcribed verbatim and analyzed using thematic analysis. Atlas ti computer software facilitated data management and storage.

Results: Black women in rural communities face significant challenges in their  interactions with the health care system as evident  in wait-times, health care providers’ attitudes and the overall quality of care. Unlike their urban counterparts, these issues are further compounded by geographical isolation. Even when Black women have the financial resources to access health services, they may not find culturally responsive providers, programs, or facilities available within a reasonable distance. This mesh of corrosive conditions compromises the health of African Canadians. 

Conclusions: Despite Canada’s ethno-racially diverse population, health care policies including those that govern education of health professionals are still shaped by Eurocentric ideology. This has significant health implications for the care of African Canadians. These sub-populations need to be involved in the design and implementation of strategies for improving their health and health care.