Barriers to Healthcare Access for Black Communities in Kingston and London, Ontario

Healthcare access is recognized as a fundamental human right by the World Health Organization. In Canada, the Canada Health Act mandates equitable and accessible healthcare for all. However, many communities, particularly the Black community, continue to face significant barriers due to socioeconomic factors. These challenges are deeply rooted in systemic racism, socio-economic barriers, and cultural biases, which disproportionately impact the health outcomes of Black individuals. This study explores the specific barriers to healthcare access within the Black community using pre-existing qualitative data. We analyzed semi-structured interviews with 15 Black community members in Kingston and 10 in London, Ontario, using NVivo software to systematically code the data and identify key themes. Additionally, a literature review was conducted, which revealed recurring themes such as lack of culturally competent care, distrust of healthcare institutions, and economic barriers. The analysis of the interview data confirmed these themes and highlighted additional issues related to service type, time and availability, and experiences of racism and discrimination. Despite individual differences, these findings consistently emphasize the pressing need for targeted interventions and policy reforms to address these disparities. However, our study was constrained by the limited availability of race-based data in Canada, underscoring the urgent need for increased research and data collection to advocate for equitable healthcare access and monitor the effectiveness of health services for marginalized communities.