Pushing for Structural Reforms: Impacts of Racism and Xenophobia upon the Health of South Asian Communities in Ontario, Canada

Manvi Bhalla, Ève Dubé, Noni MacDonald, Helana Marie Boutros and Samantha B. Meyer ()
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Manvi Bhalla: Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability, University of British Columbia, Vancouver Campus, AERL Building, 429-2202 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
Ève Dubé: Department of Anthropology, Lavel University, 1030, Avenue des Sciences-Humaines Suite 3456, Quebec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
Noni MacDonald: Department of Pediatrics, Dalhousie University, IWK Health Centre, 5850/5980 University Ave, Halifax, NS B3K 6R8, Canada
Helana Marie Boutros: Department of Health, Aging, & Society McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada
Samantha B. Meyer: School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 11, 1-15

Abstract: South Asian (SA) communities in Ontario, Canada experienced disproportionately higher rates of COVID-19 infection. Moreover, these communities also faced racism fueled by COVID-19-related misinformation and xenophobic sentiments that placed blame on them for virus transmission. The aim of this research was to understand, from the perspective of local SA communities, the causes behind higher incidences of COVID-19. SA adults ( N = 25) participated in a focus group ( N = 3) investigating experiences during the early stages of the pandemic. Data, interpreted through the lens of the Public Health Critical Race Praxis, suggest that the structural determinants of health, alongside racism and xenophobia, negatively impacted health outcomes for these communities. By not taking an active anti-racist stance, media, health and government authorities were viewed as perpetuating discriminatory narratives and practices, fueling blame and stigma towards these South Asian communities for COVID-19 transmission. Local public health policies, practices and communications were perceived to be informed by, and best serve, white Anglo-European settlers. This research provides insight into the role that health officials can play in addressing local and regional discrimination and stigma to promote equity-centered disease prevention efforts. Our findings should be integral to current and ongoing research and action related to pandemic preparedness.

Keywords: qualitative; structural determinants; COVID-19; racism; xenophobia; stigma; South Asian; Ontario (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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