• Health
• Refugee Health
• Refugee Health Services

Are there healthcare and social services options available to the Black community?

If you’re a Black newcomer looking for healthcare and other social services, finding a service provider with lived experience who is culturally sensitive to your unique needs can make a difference in how you experience those services.

There are many reasons why you might prefer Black Health practitioners who can provide unbiased, racially sensitive care. Your need to feel respected and understood in the face of unique challenges is fundamental to accessing the best services available to you. 

The Hamilton Urban Core Community Health Centre’s Black Health team and programs are grounded in anti-racism and anti-oppression, offering a sense of relief and support to Black community members in the Hamilton area. They provide healthcare and social services that promote well-being and facilitate a smooth transition into the broader Hamilton community, so you are not alone in your journey.

Research shows that Black people face many barriers to accessing healthcare and social services in Canada, such as systemic racism and discrimination, lack of financial resources, unemployment and language barriers. The situation can be worse if you are a Black refugee or without a status in Canada. This is because you require an Ontario Health card or need to pay a significant amount to access healthcare and other social services in your community. Together, these challenges usually make life overwhelming and worsen the already challenging process of adjusting to life in Canada.

Black Health Team

The Black Health team provides services that are informed by anti-racism and oppression and are sensitive to Black people's cultural, religious and social needs in the following areas:

• Primary Healthcare: focusing on disease prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and palliative care. Other services include immunization clinics, flu clinics, blood pressure clinics, and Diabetes programs. This comprehensive approach ensures that all your healthcare needs are met, providing you with a sense of support and understanding.
• Refugee Transition Clinic: focuses on enhancing care for refugees with chronic illnesses, disabilities, mental health, trauma counselling, children and women’s health.
• Community Health Promotion: prioritizes health and wellness, FoodShare, youth employment and training, newcomer settlement (community integration), and anger management and parenting.
• A specialized sickle cell clinic: It is the first of its kind, and the providers have a deep understanding of Black culture and relevant experience. This commitment to cultural sensitivity ensures that you feel respected and valued in your healthcare journey.

The services are unique for three main reasons:

1. They are free and accessible to all people and groups struggling to access them or similar services in Hamilton.
2. More importantly, the services are tailored to address anti-Black racism and are deeply sensitive to the social, cultural, and religious needs of Black populations. This commitment to cultural sensitivity ensures that you feel respected and valued in your healthcare journey.
3. Holistic services extend beyond healthcare to include settlement support, job opportunities, and skill training.

Where can I find Black health community services?

To start accessing the many services, you can contact the:  
Black Health Community Cultural Ambassador 
430 Cannon Street E, Hamilton, ON.
Phone: 877-842-5438 Ext. 262
Email: [email protected]
Or schedule an appointment online for one of the many services.

Some services may not require an appointment, depending on scheduling.

Once inside the program, you will be guided through the registration process and connected with the relevant services tailored to your needs. You will need to provide the following:

1. Name
2. Date of birth
3. Address
4. Phone number
5. Email

The services of the Black Health team are expected to help improve the healthcare and social needs of Black and underprivileged communities in Hamilton to address inadequate healthcare, poverty, food insecurity, and unemployment.

Visit the HUCCHC website for more wellness services and to find out about upcoming events. 

Presented by:
The Hamilton Urban Core Community Centre