𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗕𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀! Wellesley Institute is seeking volunteers for our Board of Directors to help us fulfill our vision of a healthier and more equitable GTA for all. Application deadline: July 17, 2026 (extended) Learn more: www.wellesleyinstitute.com/volunteer-bo...

𝗝𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝟲 𝗶𝘀 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝗷𝘂𝗿𝘆 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗮𝘆. Unintentional injuries are the 3rd leading cause of death in Canada and in 2023-2024, accounted for 13% of ER visits. Not everyone faces the same risk. Social determinants of health like age, socioeconomic status & geography can⬆️injury rates. #CIPD2026

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The heat is back in town, and with it, the associated health risks - in particular for more vulnerable populations. Wellesley Institute researcher Mauriene Tolentino discusses Toronto's heat relief strategy on Met Radio. www.frequencynews.ca/news/as-toro...

𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗮 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗯𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 "𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹" 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗶𝘁 𝘂𝗻-𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁. Our latest blog highlights how new fees refugees must pay under the Interim Federal Health Program can lead to negative health impacts. www.wellesleyinstitute.com/small-fees-b...

Earlier this month, our CEO Dr. Kwame McKenzie delivered the convocation speech at @uoftdlsph.bsky.social and @uoft-fifsw.bsky.social bringing the message of hopes, dreams and fears to emerging professionals in the fields of social work and public health. www.wellesleyinstitute.com/i-look-forwa...

Our latest blog highlights how changes to the Interim Federal Health Program for refugees, refugee claimants and protected persons will likely lead to barriers to healthcare access for some of the newest - and amongst the most marginalized - in our country. www.wellesleyinstitute.com/small-fees-b...

Today we introduce the “poverty deficit” – it measures how deep in poverty people are, not just how many live below the poverty line and shows that the cost to end poverty is actually less than the cost of poverty itself. www.wellesleyinstitute.com/the-poverty-...

No one should be denied health care because of who they are or who they love. #HealthForAll #Pride

We believe our response to uncertainty should be to build a stronger Canada, that should start by building a fairer Canada that looks after everyone. This year's Impact Report highlights our work towards creating healthier, fairer lives: www.wellesleyinstitute.com/about/impact...

@pleelai.bsky.social Thank you so much for the repost! bsky.app/profile/well...

Our finance chair Devan Moodley is a self-described “reformed banker” whose expertise is helping us achieve our vision of a healthier and more equitable GTA for all. Learn more & find out how you can apply to join our volunteer Board of Directors: www.wellesleyinstitute.com/meet-devan-m...

In 2025-2026, we worked to help bring the achievable reality of health equity to life. Read our latest Impact Report which highlights our research and policy work from the previous fiscal year: www.wellesleyinstitute.com/about/impact...

𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗕𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀! We are seeking volunteers for our Board of Directors to help fulfill our vision of a healthier and more equitable Greater Toronto Area for all. Learn more: www.wellesleyinstitute.com/volunteer-bo... Deadline: June 30, 2026

Thank you to Toronto's Medical Officer of Health Michelle Murti, Toronto Board of Health chair councillor @chrismoise.ca and @toronto.ca Toronto Public Health staff for hosting our gathering of international urban health experts this week at Toronto City Hall.

A modern, integrated electronic medical record system is overdue in Ontario and across Canada, but it must consider community data governance. Read this blog by Jemal Demeke: www.wellesleyinstitute.com/community-go...

It’s been over a year since Ontario failed to meet its own Accessibility for Ontarians Act (AODA) deadline. Our latest blog by discusses how this failure limits social inclusion for people with disabilities and contributes to health inequities: www.wellesleyinstitute.com/stalled-aoda... #AODA

Frustration with Ontario’s fragmented health information landscape is nothing new. Recent government initiatives focused on improvements are encouraging, equity-deserving populations must be involved in a centralized digital health system to advance equity. www.wellesleyinstitute.com/community-go...

According to the Ontario Common Assessment of Need, nearly 10% of people who seek mental health services live with physical disabilities – yet this group has significant unmet needs. Read our latest blog post: www.wellesleyinstitute.com/needs-magnif... @cmhatoronto.bsky.social

The @toronto.ca Black Community Data Governance Implementation Plan, produced by Wellesley Institute & the Black Health Alliance, outlines how to embed and advance Black data governance in alignment with the City’s Action Plan to Confront Anti-Black Racism: www.wellesleyinstitute.com/toronto-blac...

“Eco-anxiety” is the sense of worry or fear that arises from an awareness of the environmental threats posed by climate change - one of many new terms emerging to describe the distress caused by climate change. Read Thrive Toronto’s new series on climate change and mental health thriveto.ca

The federal and provincial governments recent focus on standardizing electronic health record systems is an opportunity to improve health. In his latest post, researcher Jemal Demeke explains why community governance and oversight must be included. www.wellesleyinstitute.com/community-go...

Many in Ontario live with physical disabilities and mental health conditions –and this group has a significantly higher level of unmet needs. This blog post highlights those needs and calls for action. www.wellesleyinstitute.com/needs-magnif... @cmhatoronto.bsky.social

Our latest report, produced in partnership with Black Health Alliance, is a multi-step guide to developing and integrating Black data governance practices at the @toronto.ca www.wellesleyinstitute.com/toronto-blac...

The @toronto.ca Black Community Data Governance Implementation Plan – developed by Wellesley Institute & Black Health Alliance – draws on diverse sources of knowledge to ensure a robust and equity-centred approach. Learn all four components of the plan: www.wellesleyinstitute.com/toronto-blac...

Our latest report, developed for @toronto.ca, aims to inform the City’s future strategy for the use of race-based data initiatives. The Implementation Plan is produced by Wellesley's Jemal Demeke and Tiyondah Fante-Coleman of the Black Health Alliance. www.wellesleyinstitute.com/toronto-blac...

We are pleased to welcome Devon MacFarlane as our newest Senior Fellow. Devon is a recognized expert in 2SLGBTQ+ health and will contribute to both Wellesley Institute & Thrive Toronto's efforts to advance health equity for 2SLGBTQ+ populations in the GTA. www.wellesleyinstitute.com/person/devon...

The links between climate change and mental health and well-being are complex and interconnected. These two papers, produced for Thrive Toronto by Swelen Andari @camhnews.bsky.social and Wellesley Institute’s Mauriene Tolentino, explore these links. thriveto.ca

𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗯𝗼𝘁𝗵 𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗶𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗵𝘆𝘀𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀. Our new blog post highlights the voices of people with lived experience and calls for policy change. @cmhatoronto.bsky.social www.wellesleyinstitute.com/needs-magnif...

𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞-𝐧𝐞𝐰𝐬𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞! Check out our latest research and policy work on health equity including: the un-met needs of people who live with physical disabilities and mental health conditions as well as our first piece ever on menstrual equity. mailchi.mp/wellesleyins...

Our latest research report highlights the unmet service needs of individuals who live with mental health conditions and physical disabilities with calls for action so that this significant population can thrive. www.wellesleyinstitute.com/when-mental-... @cmhatoronto.bsky.social

𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟮𝟴 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗜𝗻𝗷𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀 Our Thriving at work framework highlights the importance of occupational health and safety: www.wellesleyinstitute.com/category/wor... #Dayofmourning

𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺! We are hiring a researcher for a 1-year contract to work on primary care research with equity-deserving populations and on the social determinants of health. Help us create a healthier and more equitable GTA for all. 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲: 𝗙𝗿𝗶, 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟭𝟱 www.wellesleyinstitute.com/job-opportun...

Our latest research highlights the unmet needs of people with co-occurring mental health conditions and physical disabilities and calls for action to improve supports such as access to transportation, household care and income. @cmhatoronto.bsky.social www.wellesleyinstitute.com/when-mental-...

It is common for people to live with co-occurring physical disabilities and mental health conditions, yet there is little evidence about the service needs of this group. Read our new research report – in collaboration with @cmhatoronto.bsky.social www.wellesleyinstitute.com/when-mental-...

We are starting a request for proposals to help guide our strategic planning process with our stakeholder community to inform a 4-year strategic plan. Help us identify new strategic goals to maximize our impact on fairness in community health & wellness: www.wellesleyinstitute.com/request-for-...

Each year on April 7, World Health Day brings attention to a specific topic of health concern. We are pleased to help spread this year's message: 𝗧𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵. 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲. Learn more: www.who.int/campaigns/wo... #standwithscience

Toronto City Council's recent vote to move forward on opening four City-run grocery stores in priority areas is an important step towards ending food insecurity - but it's just one of many actions needed. Read our latest blog post: www.wellesleyinstitute.com/ending-food-...

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿: people with mental health conditions are at increased health risk during climate crisis events 𝘢𝘯𝘥 these events also make mental health issues more prevalent.

We are thrilled to have Thrive Toronto's Mental Health Report Card featured in this NRU Publishing Inc. article. This report card can serve as a model for other communities in the GTHA area. Read the Thrive Toronto Mental Health Report Card: thriveto.ca/mental-healt...

Our latest blog post explains why even though AI mental health tools are promoted for their accessibility, how these tools are currently being used can actually deepen inequity. www.wellesleyinstitute.com/ai-for-menta...

𝗦𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗴𝗴𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵, 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝗜 𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀. While AI may have a role to play in delivering mental healthcare - it must be specifically trained and must centre equity: www.wellesleyinstitute.com/ai-for-menta...

Wellesley Institute CEO Dr. Kwame McKenzie delivered the keynote at last week's Black Health and Wellness Day, hosted by Durham Community Health Centre, focused on advancing health equity and strengthening the well-being of Black communities. Read about it: thecaribbeancamera.com/black-health...

Struggling to find support for their mental health, some Canadians are turning to AI. Researcher Jemal Demeke says while certain AI mental health tools may have a role to play in delivering mental healthcare, they must be specifically trained to do so, and they must centre equity. l1nq.com/XrAap

Period poverty disproportionately impacts people who already face systemic barriers. But achieving menstrual equity is possible in Ontario. Our latest blog post explains why and how. www.wellesleyinstitute.com/menstrual-he... #menstrualequity

Looks like a very insightful day! Wellesley Institute CEO Kwame McKenzie gave the keynote at George Brown Polytechnic's 26th Annual Mental Health Conference. (📷 Photo via George Brown) www.georgebrown.ca/news/2026/cu...

People who cannot afford menstrual products often resort to unsafe substitutes such as rags, toilet paper or use products far beyond their recommended duration. This can increase the risk of infection and other health complications. This is preventable. www.wellesleyinstitute.com/menstrual-he...

In Canada, 1 in 6 people who menstruate do not know if they can afford the products they need for their next period. Our newest blog post by Antonia Stutter explains why menstrual health is a matter of well-being, inclusion and public health. www.wellesleyinstitute.com/menstrual-he...

𝗡𝘂𝘁𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵 𝗶𝗻 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 reminds us that access to affordable, good food is a health equity issue. 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 on how to address the rising cost of essential foods, improve health, and build local agriculture and supply lines. www.wellesleyinstitute.com/healthy-food...

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗾𝘂𝗼𝘁𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘀𝗹𝗲𝘆 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝗖𝗘𝗢 𝗗𝗿. 𝗞𝘄𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗠𝗰𝗞𝗲𝗻𝘇𝗶𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸. We wish everyone the opportunity to rest and rejuvenate over the weekend so we can all continue to take on the work that lies ahead.