While the COVID-19 pandemic has taken an enormous toll on communities across Canada and the globe, its negative impacts have not been experienced equally.

Immigrants in Ontario make up nearly HALF of Ontario’s 561,0000 COVID-19 cases even though they only comprise a quarter of the population.

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Vulnerable and marginalized populations such as ethnic minorities, immigrants, refugees, and individuals with low socio-economic status have been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition to making up nearly half of Ontario’s COVID-19 cases, immigrants and refugees from low-and middle-income countries in SubSaharan Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia were particularly hard hit.

Immigrants in Ontario were at social and economic disadvantages in the context of COVID-19, due to structural forces that made them more likely to work in low wage occupations, live in overcrowded housing, rely on public transportation, cannot afford online services and had limited social support.

Cancer and mental health & addiction (MH&A) conditions are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in Ontario, and are associated with increased risk of COVID-19, putting those with either condition at a clinical disadvantage in the context of COVID-19.

Immigrants who have cancer and/or MH&A conditions are at the intersection of social, economic, and clinical disadvantages, likely putting them at especially high risk of contracting COVID-19 and/or dying from it compared to non-immigrants.

There is a scarcity of information on cancer and MH&A prevalence among immigrants, and no literature examining the compounding disadvantages and increased risk of COVID-19 for immigrants experiencing cancer and/or MH&A.

What factors contribute to compounding disadvantage?

Crowded Homes

Individuals who are racialized, immigrants, and have a low income are more likely to live in ……infection.

Precarious Front-line Work

The majority of reported COVID-19 cases among all health care workers and Long-Term Care Home staff were among visible minority and immigrants.

Limited Access to Healthcare Facilities

Accessing healthcare facilities, getting time off work, and transporting to COVID-19 testing sites presented as notable barriers for marginalized groups.

How can we develop evidence based practices that support and protect marginalized populations living with cancer and/or mental health and addiction conditions during a pandemic or future crisis?

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Covid- 19 and Compounding Disadvantage

What is the impact of COVID-19 on marginalized populations who have cancer and/or mental health & addictions conditions? Our project “Challenging Compounding Disadvantage” explores this question.

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“We are excited that the team is conducting this important study to examine the differential impacts of COVID-19 on different groups of Ontario based on their socioeconomic status, ethno-racial identities, immigration status, and pre-existing mental and physical health conditions. The focus on immigrants with mental health and addictions, and cancer are particularly pertinent.”
Ontario Health - Toronto
“The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed and magnified the negative impact of social and economic inequities on the health of racialized communities, especially those living with mental illnesses. In order for us to identify effective strategies to address these inequities, we need accessible knowledge and evidence.”
Women’s Health in Women’s Hands Community Health Centre
“The proposed study has the potential to make significant scientific contributions which can help mitigate the disproportionate burden of cancer and systemic barriers to cancer care among Canada’s racialized communities. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated social inequalities and has laid bare unequal social structures which lead to compounded vulnerability.”
Cedar’s Sinai
“The Alliance is committed to collaborating with the team to make this study a success.”
Alliance for Healthier Communities
“We are excited that the team is taking on this important study to explore the impact of COVID 19 on Ontario’s immigrants who have active cancers and mental health and addictions disorders. ACCT is committed to collaborate with the team to make this study a success.”
Arab Community Centre of Toronto
“Catholic Crosscultural Services is committed to collaborate with the team to make this study a success. We will contribute to helping with outreach and recruitment and dissemination to the communities we serve. We look forward to working with you to disseminate the final study results in the communities we serve.”
Catholic Cross Cultural Services
“FHC is supportive and keen on this critical study to examine the differential impacts of COVID-19 on different groups of Ontario residents based on their socioeconomic status, ethno-racial identities, immigration status, and pre-existing mental and physical health conditions. FHC is committed to collaborate with the team to make this study a success.”
Flemingdon Health Centre
“From the Walnut Foundation’s perspective, the proposed research will help to support our experiences within the black community and hopefully will lead to changes in policy and practices which are needed to address these issues.”
The Walnut Foundation
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Toronto is in the ‘Dish With One Spoon Territory’. The Dish With One Spoon is a treaty between the Anishinaabe, Mississaugas and Haudenosaunee that bound them to share the territory and protect the land. Subsequent Indigenous Nations and peoples, Europeans and all new comers have been invited into this treaty in the spirit of peace, friendship and respect.

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The Compounding Disadvantage

COVID-19 among Immigrants with Cancers and with Mental Health & Addictions Disorders Project is supported by Canadian Health Research Institute (CIHR) Operating Grant: Emerging COVID-19 Research Gaps & Priorities.
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