Centre for Research on Health Equity and Social Inclusion aims to improve health policy and services in London and area

Community partners gathered today to launch the Centre for Research on Health Equity and Social Inclusion (CRHESI), a new organization focused on studying the effects of inequality and discrimination to improve health policy and services in London and surrounding area.

CRHESI is a joint initiative of community and academic partners led by Western University’s Faculty of Health Sciences and the London InterCommunity Health Centre, bringing together multiple community organizations and university faculties.

“Questions of health equity and social inclusion cut across many disciplines and service areas, impacting the wellbeing of Londoners in real and direct ways,” says Helene Berman, Associate Dean of Research at the Faculty of Health Sciences at Western, and CRHESI Co-director. “This partnership allows us to study these issues from a multitude of perspectives and areas of expertise with an end goal of improving the health and well-being of people in our community.”

The Centre views health equity as the absence of unfair and avoidable differences in health services and outcomes among groups of people. It frames social inclusion as a process of removing barriers, so that all members of a society can participate effectively in diverse spheres of public life.

“CRHESI is going to make a difference in our community,” says Dr. Christopher Mackie, Medical Officer of Health at the Middlesex-London Health Unit, “with its strong, clear vision for community-inspired research.”

The Middlesex-London Health Unit, one of CRHESI’s members, is providing a temporary office. CRHESI membership is open to health-system workers and advocates, members of the community, and academic researchers who have an interest in health equity.

MEDIA CONTACT: Stephen Ledgley, Senior Media Relations Officer, Western University, 519-661-2111 x85283, sledgley@uwo.ca, or Eugenia Canas, CRHESI Co-coordinator, ecanas@crhesi.ca.

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Western University delivers an academic experience second to none. Since 1878, The Western Experience has combined academic excellence with life-long opportunities for intellectual, social and cultural growth in order to better serve our communities. Our research excellence expands knowledge and drives discovery with real-world application. Western attracts individuals with a broad worldview, seeking to study, influence and lead in the international community.

ABOUT THE LIHC

Health Centre has been a part of the community for more than 25 years. We are one of the 75 Community Health Centres (CHCs) operating in Ontario which are grounded in a community development approach to service design and delivery. CHCs are the only primary health care organizations that combine primary health care services with health promotion programming and community capacity building. Health Centre services are provided by an interdisciplinary team of community health workers, family doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses, social workers, dietitians, medical secretaries and support staff. In addition to medical services, we offer programs that address the social determinants of health. These factors include income, education, employment, housing, food security, recreation and social supports. We are proud to be fully accredited by the Canadian Centre for Accreditation by meeting 100% of the Requirements and Leading Practice Standards. For more information: www.lihc.on.ca.