The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the critical need for robust and equitable public health systems in Canada that address the population’s diverse needs. One of the most glaring issues during the pandemic was the lack of standardized definitions and consistent data collection methods regarding ethnicity and race within the health system. This gap was particularly evident in the discrepancies between federal and provincial systems.
The importance of data collection During the pandemic, timely and accurate data on COVID-19 infectivity rates among different ethnic and racialized groups were insufficient. This hindered efforts to identify hotspots and effectively prioritize increased opportunities for testing and vaccinations. The absence of such data reflects a broader issue: the need for structured and formalized data collection practices for public health purposes that do not depend on provincial priorities.
Currently, data collection varies across regions. Public health systems often do not collect self-reported ethnicity and race in a standardized and safe manner. They may not have digitized vaccine records, and often lack access to comprehensive health-care system data.
To be prepared for future epidemics, these gaps in the public health system must be addressed. As physicians and research experts we suggest the following “prescription,” which includes a three-pronged strategy. 1.
Collect key demographic characteristics First, provincial governments and public hea.