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Work conditions as a social determinant of health affecting Black workers in BC healthcare sector
This research project aimed to understanding experiences of Black workers in the healthcare sector who work under conditions of limited job security, control, protections, compensation, and/or support in British Columbia, and how this employment affects their health.
The COVID-19 pandemic revealed and exacerbated a healthcare workforce crisis in British Columbia. This project hopes to offer a nuanced insight into this crisis and how we can create workplace and provincial policies that better support the healthcare workforce.
UPDATE: Data collection for this project is complete. We are deeply grateful to all participants for generously sharing their experience, expertise, and insights.
Who participated?
We invited Black workers in the healthcare sector in British Columbia to participate in an in-person or a virtual interview. All types of workers in the sector were welcome to participate 鈥� those who work directly with patients as well as those working to support the healthcare system in general. This included, but was not limited to, allied health workers, nurses, midwives, physicians, personal support workers, healthcare aides, technicians, and food services and housekeeping aides.
We acknowledge the diversity of Black people in British Columbia and welcomed everyone who identifies as Black including multi-generational Black Canadians, Africans, Afro-Caribbeans, Afro-Latin Americans, African Americans, Black Europeans, those of mixed heritages, and many others.
We conducted 37 interviews; this included 6 key informant interviews with leadership in the BC healthcare sector to understand the evolving policy and workplace context.
How did workers participate?
- Completed a short demographic survey [AM1] (5鈥�10 minutes)
- Participated in an in-person or virtual interview, based on their preference (45鈥�60 minutes)
How did we support participation?
- All participants received an honorarium in appreciation for their contributions to this research.
- Those who needed to make childcare arrangements to participate received a compensation
- In-person participants were compensated for transportation costs. Light refreshments were provided right before the interview.
- Translation, interpretation, and sign language (ASL) support were made available asneeded.
- Black male and female therapists were made available at no cost to support participant debriefing
Contact information
Communication on this project can be directed to Alice M农rage at alice_murage@sfu.ca
Research team:
- Alice M农rage, PhD Candidate, FHS
- Dr. Nicole Berry , Professor, FHS
- Dr. Julia Smith, Assistant Professor, FHS
- Dr. Kendra Strauss, Professor, Labour Studies
This research project is supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).
Resources
- Research consent information and form
- Centering equity in addressing the healthcare workforce crisis: Lessons from Black workers (PDF) (poster presentation at the Canadian Association for Health Services and Policy Research 2025 conference)
Upcoming knowledge sharing events (TBC)
- Caring for the healthcare workforce: What does EDI have to do with it? (Prince George, November 2025)
- Webinar for project participants (Zoom)
- Webinar for healthcare sector leadership (Zoom)