Social and Cultural Health Inequities

Social and cultural factors are strong determinants of health and wellness, and include poverty, gender, aging, and cultural world views and practices. CHAIM researchers incorporate recognition of these determinants of health to consider the implications for healthcare inequities, and policies and programs to address them. Particular research strengths take a comprehensive perspective to understand and address health inequities associated with poverty, aging, racism, and colonization.

Ethnoracial Analysis

Structural racism is persistent in all areas of society, including science and health care. To help encourage important conversations surrounding this topic, the CHAIM Centre collaborated with faculty in the Department of Neuroscience on an Ethnoracial Analysis (ERA) project. For this initiative, 7 students were paired with faculty members to conduct targeted literature reviews assessing how racial considerations have been included (or excluded) in a given area of research. With support from the CHAIM Centre and the MacOdrum Library Discovery Centre, these analyses are being used to facilitate discussions about race in various Neuroscience courses at Carleton University. It was also an excellent learning opportunity for the students involved, as indicated in the blog written by Mysa Myers.

Top: Dr. Kim Matheson, Abigail Morris, Melissa Carvalho, Mysa Myers
Middle: Maria Pranschke, Sara Siddiqi, Ahmad Ali Mohamad, Kelly Schincariol
Bottom: Max Kabongo, Caleigh Tracy, Dr. Paul Villeneuve

Video: Why does race matter in scientific research?

The CHAIM Centre also produced an accompanying series of educational videos exploring questions of why race matters to science, what it represents, and how ethnoracial analysis can be ethically incorporated into research.

Indigenous Youth Futures Partnership poster: working with First Nations organizations and communities in…

IYFP Project

The CHAIM Centre is responsible for the oversight of the Indigenous Youth Futures Partnership (IYFP), a SSHRC funded Partnership Grant that involves active partnerships between Carleton University as well as Dalhousie, Lakehead, Nipissing, and Western, the Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority, the Multicultural Association of Northwestern Ontario, and several First Nations communities located in Northwestern Ontario. The goal of this research is to work together with First Nations communities to achieve their aspirations for ensuring that their communities provide the conditions for their children and youth to flourish.

Black Lives Matter Solidarity Statement

In spring 2020 the CHAIM Centre released a statement in support of the Black Lives Matter movement and affirmed our continuing commitment to solidarity with Black students, colleagues, and community members. To view the full statement and a list of resources on racism in health care and policing, click here.