Community Health Centres or “CHCs” are one of the key models of primary care ensuring access to chronic disease prevention and management, and community development programs. CHCs are one of the models we represent. Learn more about CHCs + their vital work: www.allianceon.org/files/CHC_Se...

Canada has the 𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 to be a world leader in building AI tools for equity. Our CEO, Dr. Kwame McKenzie, spoke about this potential - and reasons for both concern and optimism - at the @ipcontario.bsky.social's Privacy Day event about AI in health, Jan 28. Watch: www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rl9...

Psychosis and schizophrenia are on the rise in young Canadians. #UofT researchers say recognizing the signs early could make a critical difference. bit.ly/4rC0nRr

Wellesley has joined the Supportive Housing for Ontario Table in calling on the Ontario government to ensure the supportive housing system meets the needs of all. Read our submission to the 2026 Budget consultation process. www.wellesleyinstitute.com/ontario-2026... @unitedwaygt.bsky.social

We're honoured to have the contributions of Wellesley Institute CEO, Dr. Kwame McKenzie, recognized during Black History Month in such a thoughtful way by the Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario. ontario.cmha.ca/news/black-h...

Not everyone is equally affected by the decline in mental health in Toronto. The Thrive Toronto mental health report card shows that concerning patterns are emerging. Read the report to learn more: thriveto.ca/mental-healt...

As housing policies move toward treating homes as financial assets, and investment in social housing slides, wealth inequality and housing insecurity deepen. Read our latest research report – a scoping review of health and wealth interventions: www.wellesleyinstitute.com/wealth-and-h...

We are pleased that Wellesley Institute CEO Kwame McKenzie is speaking today as part of a panel discussion at the @ipcontario.bsky.social event entitled Trustworthy AI in Health: The Promise, Perils and Protections. Dr. McKenzie will be speaking about the perils of AI.

Ontario needs more supportive housing and a plan to end homelessness. Wellesley Institute is glad to be part of this important group coming together to call for change.

Wealth inequity is on the rise in Canada, and along with it, health inequity. Our latest scoping review reveals that structural and historical inequities must be addressed to improve health and social inequities. Read the report: www.wellesleyinstitute.com/wealth-and-h...

𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗱𝗼𝗰𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀: 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗢𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗼. We are researching how communities are involved in shaping primary care at the health service provider level. 𝗢𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝗰𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀, 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀, 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘀, 𝘁𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀 𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: tinyurl.com/3zn6jxyp

Thrive Toronto’s mental health report card shows people who experience discrimination are less likely to have good mental health: ➡️ 1/3 of people who identify as gay, lesbian or bisexual reported good mental health, compared to 56% of heterosexual identified individuals. thriveto.ca/mental-healt...

The kids are not alright. Only one-third of children and youth reported good mental health in Toronto; 63% said they feel lonely. Read Toronto's first mental health report card here: thriveto.ca/mental-healt...

𝗧𝗼𝗿𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗼'𝘀 𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗶𝘀 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴. In 7 years, the percentage of residents reporting good mental health dropped from nearly 3/4 to about half. Read Toronto’s first mental health report card, made by Thrive Toronto, as well as the recommendations to help people thrive. thriveto.ca/mental-healt...

Only about half of us living in Toronto report having good mental health, and rates are lower for people who face social and economic challenges. To improve mental well-being, strategies must be targeted towards those most impacted.

𝗧𝗼𝗿𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗼’𝘀 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗶𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲. It tells the story of a decline in mental wellness in Toronto, who is most impacted by this decline, and highlights actions that can be taken to improve psychological and mental health. Read the report: thriveto.ca/thrive-toron...

Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO)'s 2025 Homelessness Report Update reveals a worsening homelessness crisis across our province – and one which evidence demonstrates is devastating for health. The report also outlines how we can find our way out of this critical situation.

𝗗𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗧𝗔? If so, please complete our brief survey to help us update our equitable research compensation guidelines. To learn more or participate, please click here: www.surveymonkey.com/r/JN2VT3T

𝗗𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗧𝗔? If so, please complete our brief survey to help us update our equitable research compensation guidelines. To learn more or participate, please click here: www.surveymonkey.com/r/JN2VT3T

This Ricochet Media article cites Wellesley Institute research from 2022 - still relevant today - highlighting a gap in the National Housing Strategy: public funds must be directed to projects that meet the needs of those who most need affordable housing. ricochet.media/justice/hous...

At Wellesley Institute, we believe that economic measures to address global uncertainty should not place our most vulnerable residents in jeopardy for the sake of that aim. Read our response to the 2025 federal budget: www.wellesleyinstitute.com/our-response...

Thank you to everyone who joined us last week for the BRN Inspires Social! From our mentorship workshop to the networking event, it was wonderful to connect with our community as the semester draws to a close. We appreciate your energy, engagement and support 💙 #UofT #BlackResearchNetwork

𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺! Wellesley Institute is hiring a researcher for a 1 year contract who has a knowledge of health equity, the social determinants of health and issues related to primary care. 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲: 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟵, 𝟱 𝗽.𝗺. 𝗘𝗧. Learn more: www.wellesleyinstitute.com/about/career...

University of Toronto grad students: register now for this seminar on the interconnectedness & intersectionalities of climate justice, housing and homelessness, and diversity and equity issues, through the lens of how they impact Black, Indigenous & racialized youth https://ow.ly/e8kn50XGAJe

As Wellesley Institute CEO Kwame McKenzie speaks to in this article, the TTC has become the option for individuals to turn to when the social safety net is inadequate. This article in The Local looks at how this impacts the TTC and the people who work there. thelocal.to/ttc-mental-h...

𝗪𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴! We are hiring a 12-month research contract position to support Wellesley Institute's projects which aim to improve health equity in Ontario. Deadline: Dec. 19 at 5 p.m. ET. Learn more: www.wellesleyinstitute.com/about/career...

Our December e-news is out! Check out our latest research and policy work focused on improving health and health equity in the GTA. mailchi.mp/wellesleyins...

With funding from the Metcalf Foundation, Wellesley Institute is conducting research to learn how care professions can support ECE and PSW workers’ health and well-being, so they can thrive. Learn more: www.wellesleyinstitute.com/care-economy...

Our researcher Christine Sheppard is part of an expert panel for a conversation on how Canada can better support people with disabilities, to not just to survive, but to truly thrive. Register for this 𝐢𝐧-𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧 or 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 event here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Read our joint statement: www.chrc-ccdp.gc.ca/resources/ne...

Together, we can help shape a Canada where adequate, accessible, safe and affordable housing is within everyone’s reach. –MJH

As we mark #NationalHousingDay, it is a reminder that adequate, accessible, safe and affordable housing is a human right. Yet for many in Canada, particularly people with disabilities, this right remains unmet.

Our latest research on racism in primary healthcare recommends cultural safety for Indigenous populations should be a core component of healthcare education. Policymakers should also engage in training. Read the full set of recommendations: www.wellesleyinstitute.com/supporting-a...

The decline in life expectancy is one of Ontario’s biggest health emergencies ever, but it is going on under the radar. Our latest blog calls on Ontario to create a plan to reverse the decline. www.wellesleyinstitute.com/ontario-need...

Are you a registered Early Childhood Educator working in Toronto? Wellesley Institute wants to hear from you! Help improve job quality in childcare by taking our short, confidential, online survey. To learn more or participate: www.surveymonkey.com/r/XZFPZ5T

This report produced for Wellesley Institute by an Indigenous-led research team at @unityhealthto.bsky.social identifies and analyzes existing programs and frameworks that aim to mitigate anti-Indigenous racism within primary healthcare services in Ontario. www.wellesleyinstitute.com/supporting-a...

Today is #WorldDiabetesDay. The latest research by Wellesley Institute shows social support, especially from family and peers, is a key factor in managing and reducing the risk of diabetes. Learn more. www.wellesleyinstitute.com/social-deter...

Culturally tailored diabetes management programs for Black & South Asian-origin populations have shown positive outcomes in improving HbA1c levels, weight & physical activity. Our report examines social determinants of health interventions for diabetes. www.wellesleyinstitute.com/examining-so...

November 14 is World Diabetes Day. Our latest research report examines the effectiveness of social determinant of health interventions for diabetes in Black and South Asian-origin populations. Read the report. #WorldDiabetesDay #diabetes www.wellesleyinstitute.com/examining-so...

Are you a Personal Support Worker working in Toronto? Wellesley Institute wants to hear from you! Help improve job quality for healthcare workers by taking our short, confidential, online survey. To learn more or participate: www.surveymonkey.com/r/SCS8JD5

To improve health outcomes in Black and South Asian-origin groups, targeted programs must address barriers to healthcare access & acknowledge the sociocultural, environmental & economic factors that contribute to diabetes risk. Read the research report: www.wellesleyinstitute.com/examining-so...

What makes diabetes management more challenging for Black and South-Asian populations in Ontario? - Underemployment - Long work hours - Living on a low income - Lack of transportation

Black & South Asian-origin populations in ON have some of the highest rates of diabetes - and are disproportionately affected by poverty, food insecurity and poor housing. Our paper shows how these are linked to a higher risk of diabetes & complications: www.wellesleyinstitute.com/examining-so...

We cannot sacrifice those in Canada who need our help the most in the service of other goals. Wellesley Institute would welcome the following included in next week's federal budget to help all Canadians thrive. www.wellesleyinstitute.com/federal-budg... @jesserosenberg.bsky.social #FederalBudget

Presenting our 2025-26 board of directors: Paul Jonathan Saguil, Chair; Jayashree G., Vice-Chair; David Cai; Dr. Andrew Terence Lam; Dr. David McKeown; Devan Moodley; Adebisi Saliu, Karen Soldatić and Joseph Worndl Learn more about our great governance team www.wellesleyinstitute.com/.../governan...

⚠️ 1.3 million people acquired HIV in 2024 alone, including thousands of adolescent girls and young women. WHO recommends twice-yearly injectable #lenacapavir as a new effective pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) option to protect people at risk of HIV. Know more: bit.ly/47gS2eV

We are thrilled to welcome our new and returning board members! www.wellesleyinstitute.com/about/govern...

Wellesley Institute researcher Maura Eswaradas talks about her latest work which sheds light on inequities in life expectancy in Ontario. Read the report: www.wellesleyinstitute.com/inequitable-...

During the COVID-19 pandemic, life expectancy in Ontario declined for the first time in more than 40 years. Although it began trending upwards again in 2023, it has yet to return to pre-pandemic levels.

The barriers to equitable Indigenous healthcare in Ontario are not only in individual actions, finds our latest research report. The most significant issues are the still-ongoing colonial systems that are the foundation of healthcare and education. www.wellesleyinstitute.com/bridges-and-...