Hate and discrimination in healthcare create barriers that prevent people from receiving fair, respectful, and safe care. In London, communities such as Indigenous, Black, Muslim, newcomer, 2SLGBTQ+, and people with disabilities continue to report harmful experiences in health settings. These inequities directly impact health outcomes, trust in the system, and overall community well-being.
For CRHESI, addressing hate in healthcare is a core priority because it lies at the intersection of health equity, social inclusion, and human rights. As a community-based research and knowledge mobilization hub, CRHESI’s goal is to:
- Document and share evidence of how hate and racism impact healthcare experiences.
- Develop practical tools that support both patients and healthcare providers to recognize, report, and reduce discrimination.
- Engage communities and leaders in dialogue and collective action to make health systems safer and more equitable.
- Advocate for systemic change by connecting local experiences to policy and practice at municipal, provincial, and national levels.
Through partnerships, research, and public engagement, CRHESI is committed to helping create a healthcare system in London that is inclusive, just, and free from hate.
Why This Matters
Hate, racism, and discrimination in healthcare are not isolated experiences — they have a direct and profound impact on health outcomes.
- Discrimination in healthcare makes people delay or avoid care, leading to worse health outcomes and higher costs for the system.
- Racism, ableism, homophobia, transphobia, and other forms of hate cause stress, anxiety, and long-term health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and depression.
- In London, 60% of Indigenous Peoples and 40% of immigrants and racialized people reported discrimination in the past three years.
- Hate crimes in London rose 67% in 2023, disproportionately impacting Muslim, LGBTQ+, Black, Jewish, South Asian, and Indigenous communities.
These realities make it urgent to tackle hate not just in our communities, but also within the health systems where equity, dignity, and safety must be guaranteed for all.
The City of London’s Stop TolerHating Campaign
In October 2024, the City of London launched the Stop TolerHating campaign to confront rising hate and to build a safer, more inclusive community.
The campaign focuses on:
- Awareness: Sharing data on hate crimes and lived experiences.
- Education: Equipping bystanders to safely intervene and act against hate.
- Support: Offering resources, helplines, and legal information for equity-denied communities.
- Action: Hosting forums, outreach, and building partnerships for systemic change.
Learn more: City of London’s Stop TolerHating Campaign
CRHESI’s Involvement
CRHESI has played a leading role in strengthening the campaign by:
- Reviewed anti-hate campaigns across Canada and internationally.
- Creating knowledge mobilization products (blogs, infographics, and toolkits).
- Supporting the City with community engagement and research insights.
- Leading the anti-Black racism in healthcare event in June 2025.
CRHESI’s contributions ensure that the campaign goes beyond awareness to drive systemic change in healthcare equity.
Anti-Hate Public Campaigns: Approaches & Effectiveness
A Literature Scan and Synthesis for the City of London
Office of Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression
Our Four Toolkits
CRHESI developed a set of toolkits to provide practical guidance for both communities and providers.
- Understanding Health Inequities
Explains how discrimination, racism, and hate affect health, with local statistics and stories. - What to Do If You Encounter Discrimination in Healthcare
Step-by-step guidance for patients and families to report discrimination and access resources such as the Ontario Human Rights Commission, Patient Ombudsman, and local support organizations. - Trends in Health Inequities in London
Highlights key local data: rising hate crimes, disproportionate impacts on Muslim, Jewish, Black, LGBTQ+, Indigenous, and newcomer communities, and how poverty and housing instability make health inequities worse. - How Providers Can Address Hate and Discrimination in Healthcare
Action steps for healthcare providers: embedding cultural safety, trauma- and violence-informed care, and anti-oppression principles in everyday practice.
These toolkits are designed to educate, empower, and drive action among patients, communities, and healthcare professionals.
Understanding Health Inequities
What to Do If You Encounter Discrimination in Healthcare
Trends in Health Inequities in London
How Providers Can Address Hate and Discrimination in Healthcare
Community Event: Addressing Anti-Black Racism in Healthcare
On June 7, 2025, CRHESI and partners hosted a community conversation on anti-Black racism in healthcare at the South London Community Centre.
- The event brought together African, Caribbean, and Black (ACB) communities and healthcare leaders.
- Activities included story sharing, panel presentations, and group discussions.
- The goal was to generate community-driven solutions to improve equity, safety, and inclusivity in healthcare for ACB communities.
This event is one of many steps CRHESI is taking to ensure that London’s healthcare system reflects the principles of equity and justice.