This page brings together a curated collection of supports, organizations, and learning tools that promote Black health and wellness. The goal of this page is to provide McMaster medical students with accessible, culturally relevant resources that strengthen understanding, support personal well-being, and encourage meaningful engagement with Black communities.
Whether you're looking for mental-health services, clinical learning tools, community organizations, mentorship opportunities, or ways to get involved in Black health initiatives, this hub serves as a starting point. As future healthcare providers, expanding our knowledge of Black health is essential to delivering equitable, culturally safe care.
Found any cool resources you think should be included? Suggestions are always welcome! Reach out to us @macmedcouncil on Instagram or email [email protected].
Whether you're looking for mental-health services, clinical learning tools, community organizations, mentorship opportunities, or ways to get involved in Black health initiatives, this hub serves as a starting point. As future healthcare providers, expanding our knowledge of Black health is essential to delivering equitable, culturally safe care.
Found any cool resources you think should be included? Suggestions are always welcome! Reach out to us @macmedcouncil on Instagram or email [email protected].
Clinical Learning Resources
McMaster Black Health Resource Collection
A comprehensive library guide created by the McMaster Health Sciences Library featuring books, articles, clinical tools, historical resources, and multimedia related to Black health. https://hslmcmaster.libguides.com/medicine_UGM/black
UofT Black Health Pedagogy and Research Guide: https://guides.library.utoronto.ca/BlackHealth
Common Clinical Topics in Black Health
- Sickle Cell Disease: Sickle Cell Disease Association of Canada
- Black Maternal Health: Reproductive justice, perinatal risks, and health inequities
- Hypertension & Cardiometabolic Disease
- Dermatologic Presentations in Darker Skin: Brown Skin Matters (Image database of skin conditions on darker skin)
CMAJ Black Health: https://www.cmaj.ca/black_health
Clinical and Public Health Resources
Resource/Organization |
What they Offer |
Notes / How to Use |
Black Health Alliance (BHA) |
Advocacy, research, policy work, community health promotion for Black Canadians; resources on social determinants of health, systemic inequities, health-equity programs. (Black Health Alliance) |
Useful for connecting with national initiatives, data, and community-level programs. |
TAIBU Community Health Centre |
Culturally safe primary care for Black communities; mental health, chronic disease prevention, wellness supports. (TAIBU Community Health Centre) |
Good local link for volunteering, referrals etc. |
Black Mental Health Canada (BMHC) |
Affordable, culturally competent mental health supports for Black individuals; group counselling programs; resources/counselling for Black women. (Black Mental Health) |
Great for mental-health education and student wellness outreach |
Black Youth Helpline (Canada-wide, youth focus) |
Support, counselling, crisis line focused on youth, including Black youth. (Black Youth) |
Can be shared with students or community youth. Useful for mental-health safety net. |
Community and Social Support Resources
- Food security / food-justice via Black Health Alliance (e.g. urban agriculture, community-food projects) Black Health Alliance
- Black health resources and social services directory compiled by Human Services and Justice Coordinating Committee: HSJCC
- List of Black Therapists and Allied Health: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xFqMc2UvQ8fJfrc27AxkgYv8C5xnPI0yLz6YAZPDfsk/edit?tab=t.0
- Black Health Professionals Network: https://bhpn.ca/health-professionals/
Student / Career / Professional Development Resources
Resource |
Description |
Use Case for Medical Students |
Black Physicians of Ontario (BPAO) |
Group for Black physicians in Ontario; Black-health advocacy programs; resources on cardiovascular and other disparities in Black populations. (BPAO) BPAO Contact for Medical Learners: [email protected] |
Find mentors or role models; outreach for talks/lectures; community health projects. |
Black Physicians of Canada |
A national organization supporting and advocating for Black physicians through mentorship, leadership development, and health-equity initiatives. https://blackphysicians.ca/ |
Find mentorship, career guidance, networking opportunities, and support for navigating training as Black or allied learners. |
BHA & TAIBU volunteer & outreach programs |
Access to community-led health promotion, outreach, and support programs in Black communities |
Opportunity for volunteering, community-engagement hours, advocacy work. |
BMHC & other mental-health networks |
Culturally competent mental-health counselling services, group programs, resources tailored to Black communities |
Great for peer-support groups, or personal wellness as med students. |
BMSAC (Black Medical Students Association of Canada) |
A national student-led network that supports Black medical learners through mentorship, advocacy, community building, and academic empowerment. https://www.bmsac.ca/en |
Great for getting involved with the black medical student community across Canada |
Educational Media
The Colour of Care (Documentary)
Explores racial disparities in the U.S. healthcare system: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt18399712/
Aftershock (Documentary)
Examines the Black maternal mortality crisis: https://www.aftershockdocumentary.com/
Code Switch (NPR Podcast)
Deep dives into race, identity, systems, and culture: https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510312/codeswitch
Critical Condition: Health in Black America (PBS Documentary)
https://www.pbs.org/video/critical-condition-health-in-black-america-tdxccm/
Explores racial disparities in the U.S. healthcare system: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt18399712/
Aftershock (Documentary)
Examines the Black maternal mortality crisis: https://www.aftershockdocumentary.com/
Code Switch (NPR Podcast)
Deep dives into race, identity, systems, and culture: https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510312/codeswitch
Critical Condition: Health in Black America (PBS Documentary)
https://www.pbs.org/video/critical-condition-health-in-black-america-tdxccm/
Other Black Health Organizations
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