A Health Profile of Ottawa’s Neighbourhoods

This dashboard provides a snapshot of various health outcomes across Ottawa, based on ONS neighbourhoods. The data are aggregated by neighbourhood and, as such, may not reflect the experiences of every individual, family, or group living within a given neighbourhood. When sharing information about the health and well-being of neighbourhoods, we need to acknowledge and highlight the impacts of both historical and current structural and systemic inequities on many equity-denied groups, including many First Nations, Inuit, Metis and urban Indigenous communities, Black and other racialized peoples. The pervasiveness of these inequities, accompanied by systemic racism have, in many cases, eroded community trust in public institutions, including our health care system consequently impacting access to various health services. Other barriers may include:

• Inequitable access: to transportation, to a clinic or pharmacy, to childcare, to a health care coverage (including OHIP and/or paid benefits to cover certain medication), to technology (for accessing health information or booking appointments), and to information or services in their language (without English or French fluency).
• (Lack of) time: working conditions, precarious employment, and complex life circumstances limit some people’s ability to take time off from work and other obligations in order to attend a clinic, wait in line with a booking system, etc.
• Access to a family doctor (or consistent primary care): individuals who are not attached to primary care have reduced access to preventative care and are more likely to receive late diagnoses and treatments, leading to poorer health outcomes.
• Inequitable access to clear and accurate, information: some people face barriers in navigating the changing health information available to the public; others express challenges in finding up-to-date, plain-language information about topics.
• Misinformation: circulating on the web, in media and social media platforms.
• System challenges: including wait times for appointments or services, capacity of clinics, and navigation of services.

Long-term solutions are needed to address underlying social determinants of health such as racism, income, housing, and employment to increase health equity among all populations. It is essential that communities be engaged and supported to promote and enable equitable and safe access to health services.