The COVID-19 pandemic has provided compelling evidence that substantive changes to our health care systems are needed. Specifically, the pandemic has emphasized structural inequities on a broad scale within Canadian society. These include systemic racial and socioeconomic inequities that must be addressed broadly, including in the delivery of health care. We make recommendations about what we can do to emerge from the pandemic stronger. While these recommendations are not novel, how they are framed and contextualized differs because of the problems in our health care system that have been highlighted and exacerbated in the pandemic.
The evidence is clear that socioeconomic circumstances, intergenerational trauma, adverse early life experiences, and educational opportunities are critical factors when it comes to health over the life course. Given the problems in the delivery of health care that the pandemic has revealed, we need a different approach. How health care was organized prior to the COVID-19 pandemic did not produce what people want and need in terms of health care and outcomes.
How do we emerge from COVID-19 with an effective, equitable, and resilient health care system for all Canadians?
On May 10, at 1:30 pm EDT, the RSC is hosting an hour-long free Webinar convening some of the authors of this report to discuss how Canadians can emerge from the pandemic with a more effective, equitable and resilient health care system.
Moderator
Dr. Cecilia Benoit, of Mi’kmaw and European ancestry, holds a PhD in Sociology from the University of Toronto.
Panelists
Melissa K. Andrew, MD MPH PhD FRCPC, is professor of Medicine at Dalhousie University
Dr. Mark Dobrow, MSc PhD, Associate Professor in the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto.
Dr. Linda Rabeneck (Panel Chair), MD MPH FRCPC, is Professor of Medicine, University of Toronto and Vice-President, Prevention and Cancer Control at Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario).
