Building equitable health systems through research | Michael Smith Health Research BC

Health systems are stronger when care is designed to address the needs of the communities they serve.

Through the Island Health Health Equity Grant Program, Health Research BC partners with the Victoria Hospitals Foundation to support two research projects that advance health equity and improve outcomes or access to services for equity-deserving groups.

This year’s awardees are working to strengthen how care is accessed and delivered. Maha Maryam-Killoran is evaluating a publicly funded model to expand access to assessment, education, and personalized support for people who face barriers to perinatal pelvic health care. Paul Winston is leading a project that addresses clinical infrastructure and navigation gaps to improve access to specialist care for children, older adults, Indigenous patients, and people with disabilities.

Through this partnered funding, their research will generate evidence to guide equitable approaches and drive real-world improvements in care delivery.

Thank you to Island Health and the Victoria Hospitals Foundation. It is through partnerships like this that we can support research that advances equitable health outcomes.