Access to Healthcare by Socially Vulnerable Persons during the COVID-19 Pandemic: An exploration of race and intersectionality

Although the Canadian Medicare system was created to make sure that everyone has access to affordable healthcare, some people fall between the cracks. The Covid-19 pandemic has drawn attention to health and healthcare disparities that can't be ignored. In Montreal, Quebec, the largest number of Covid-19 cases are reported in neighborhoods with high rates of poverty and the most racial diversity. Although over 22% of the Canadian population identify as a non-white visible minority, unlike the USA, racial/ethnic differences in health and access to healthcare are not commonly discussed. In this study, we will explore the experiences of racialized minorities in accessing primary healthcare during the pandemic in multicultural neighborhoods in Montreal. We will talk with different racialized groups to understand their healthcare needs and challenges in accessing care and discuss our findings with family doctors to identify strategies to promote cultural safety and access. Without research that directly addresses race-based differences in the Canadian healthcare system, it is likely that the inequities in healthcare access that have been seen during the pandemic will continue.