Category: Understanding Complexity
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Exploring Equity, Language, and Representation in Black Health Research
At the 2026 Black Health Research Symposium, Dr. Marie Claire Uwamahoro presented two lightning talks examining important challenges in Black health research and healthcare access. The first presentation shared findings from a scoping review exploring how Black populations are defined and represented in Canadian health research. The review found considerable variation in the terminology used…
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Defining the Black population in Canadian health research: a scoping review (BMC Public Health, 2026)
Researchers presented findings from a national scoping review examining how Black populations are defined and represented in Canadian health research. The review identified significant inconsistencies in terminology and classification practices, highlighting opportunities to improve clarity, equity, and community engagement in health research involving Black populations. For example, we found inconsistencies in how terminology such as…
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Mapping Health and Wellness Supports for Newcomers in Alberta
At the 2026 Canadian Association for Health Services and Policy Research (CAHSPR) Conference, James Idowu presented a poster highlighting the first phase of an environmental scan exploring health and wellness supports available to newcomers in Alberta. The project examined organizations and services supporting newcomer health across Calgary, Edmonton, and Brooks. Through a comprehensive web-based search,…
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Navigating the Healthcare System in Alberta, April 2026
On April 14, 2026, C4 collaborated with the Centre for Newcomers and AIMGA to facilitate a health navigation workshop focused on improving healthcare access and understanding for newcomers to Alberta. The workshop addressed common challenges newcomers may face when navigating the healthcare system and connected participants with information, resources, and support networks. Through community-based engagement…
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Navigating the Healthcare System in Alberta, October 2025
On October 30, 2025, C4 joined the Centre for Newcomers and the Alberta International Medical Graduate Association (AIMGA) to present a health navigation workshop for newcomers. Through information sharing, discussion, and resource guidance, participants gained a better understanding of Alberta’s healthcare system and the services available to support their health. The workshop is part of…
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Building a More Inclusive Healthcare Future, Together
The Centre for Newcomers interviews Dr. Doreen Rabi. When people arrive in Canada, they often bring tremendous strengths, experience, and resilience with them. Many arrive in good health, ready to build new lives, careers, and communities. Yet the settlement journey can be far more complicated than many Canadians realize. Newcomers often face overlapping challenges while…
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Improving Health Navigation for Newcomers in Alberta Through Community Partnership
On July 5, 2025, C4 partnered with the Centre for Newcomers and the Alberta International Medical Graduate Association (AIMGA) to deliver the first in a series of health navigation workshops designed to support newcomers to Alberta as they access and navigate the healthcare system. Participants received practical information and resources on topics such as finding…
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Defining Black Populations in Canadian Health Research (CAHSPR 2025)
C4 team member Dr. Marie Claire Uwamahoro presented her scoping review on how Black populations are defined in Canadian health research. We found inconsistencies in how terminology such as “Black,” “African,” and “Caribbean” was used. Approximately 53% of studies did not explain or define their chosen terms. The results showed substantial variation in the terminology…
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Who is Black?
Defining the Black Population in Canadian Health Research: A Critical Need Dr. Marie Claire Uwamahoro The presence of Black people (“Blacks”) in Canada can be attributed to historical factors such as slavery, colonization, and migration. Some have been here for centuries, while others have been here for merely days to months and are from different…
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Healthcare in Alberta: The hidden truths provide the most promising solutions
Dr. Doreen M. Rabi, MD, Clinical Researcher Fobete Dingha, Community Advocate On behalf of the Canadian Collaboration for Complex Care There is an ancient, Eastern parable about blind men encountering an elephant. Having no knowledge or concept of this creature, the men each approached the animal from a different angle, using their sense of touch…