The StFX Student Health Society held a special conference on Friday evening. Conference lead Sophie Bezanson says the aim was to bring the student body at StFX and community members together to start some important discussions around advancing health equity.
The event titled “Innovation in Achieving Health Equity in Rural Nova Scotia” had a panel discussion on how rural communities can make meaningful changes in achieving health equity.
The meeting covered the barriers and challenges that exist in rural healthcare in the province, as well as innovations to address these gaps.
Healthcare professionals and researchers gave short presentations outlining their research into the gaps in medicine and healthcare in rural nova scotia and to share solutions to achieve health equity, they include:
Dianne Oickle, registered Dietitian and Knowledge Translation Specialist at the National Collaborating Centre for Determinants of Health.
Dr. Amy Grant, a Senior Health Policy Researcher, with Maritime SPOR SUPPORT UNIT with the Nova Scotia Health Authority.
Elizabeth Obeng Nkrumah, Wellness Navigator with Nova Scotia Sisterhood Initiative,
Preston Matthews Trench, Wellness Navigator for Nova Scotia Brotherhood Initiative,
Dr. AJ a family physician and director with Coral Shared-Care Health Centre, and advocate for health system improvements.
Sarah-Marie O’Toole a physician recruitment consultant with the Nova Scotia Health Authority (Eastern Zone)
The presentations covered a variety of topics ranging from healthcare worker recruitment and retention, improving access to healthcare for African Nova Scotians, and a system called GeoView a tool that maps determinants of health in the province, a system designed by Dr. AJ. Healthcare provider shortages are one of the major issues faced by rural Nova Scotians and there are gaps in culturally safe care as well.
The researchers hope to get the provinces attention on this research to make healthcare accessible for those in need by following their recommendations.
The StFX Student Health Society’s goal is to encourage students in the health program to be more involved in health promotion on campus and the greater community.
