The Dark Side Of Canadian Healthcare

Canada may pride itself in being the first country in the world to declare multiculturalism as an official policy but there are darker sides to the story. Half a century ago, bell hooks argued that the female experience is different depending on skin colour. Today, it seems that a woman’s health appear to be related to complexion as well.

A study from the University of British Columbia is set to challenge the popular belief that we are ‘post-race’ with the finding that skin colour might be a predictor of health. The study surveyed 1500 people from Vancouver and Toronto using self-reported racial identifications — Asian, Black, South Asian and White. It examined levels of high blood pressure, depression, mental health and overall health.

Black Canadians were more likely to report high blood pressure while Asian-Canadians were more likely to report poor mental health. Even more disturbing was the difference between people of the same racial classification but who had different skin tones. Black Canadians with darker skin were four times more likely than Black Canadians with lighter skin to report poor health.

“The findings indicate that, for black Canadians, levels of discrimination can depend on the relative darkness or lightness of their skin,” said Gerry Veenstra, the sociology professor behind the study.

“For health researchers and policymakers, this means that the broad racial classifications…may actually underestimate the magnitude of racial health inequalities in this country,” said Veenstra.

Unfortunately, the study does not seem to differentiate between men and women of colour. Other research have shown that women are more proactive in taking care of their health as compared to men. The question still remains then: What is a reliable predictor of poor health? Darker skin colour? Self-identification as a man? A combination of both and other factors?

Health studies need to start investigating the interdisciplinary nature of health instead of focusing on one variable per study. Until then, more questions than answers will arise from each new study.

Contact the author here: syahidah@morningquickie.com