Discrimination against racialized communities, specifically Black people, is deeply entrenched and normalized in Canadian institutions, policies, and practices and often goes unseen to those who are not affected.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most commonly inherited single gene disorder among millions of people worldwide. This hereditary red cell disorder affects individuals from diverse ethnic backgrounds, i.e., Mediterranean, African, Caribbean, Middle East, South America, and South Asian. In Ontario, over 3500 people are affected by SCD with a total of more than 6,000 Canadians; predominantly in individuals who identify as Black.

​The prevalence of diabetes among Black Canadian adults is over two times the rate than in White Canadians.

Specifically, Type 2 diabetes in Black Canadians is caused by genetics, but also in part by social and environmental factors.