Innovative Health Solutions: Evaluating Ontario's Black-focused Social Prescribing
LogicalOutcomes is conducting a participatory, culturally affirming evaluation of a groundbreaking, Black-focused Social Prescribing Project. Launched in 2022 by the Alliance for Healthier Communities, funded by the Balsam Foundation, this initiative aims to improve health outcomes for Black communities in Ontario through an innovative approach to healthcare. Four community health centres are participating: TAIBU Community Health Centre, Black Creek Community Health Centre, Rexdale Community Health Centre, and Somerset West Community Health Centre.
Project partners
Our comprehensive evaluation involves data collection and analysis through document review, surveys, focus groups, and interviews with various stakeholders, including clients, link workers, service providers, and project staff. We've adopted an Afrocentric evaluation approach, grounding our work in principles and values aligned with Black health and wellbeing.
Understanding Social Prescribing
Social prescribing bridges the gap between social and clinical models of health. It enables health providers to refer patients to community-based programs tailored to each client's interests, goals, and strengths using the familiar process of writing a prescription. These referrals might include social events, cooking classes, or art programs.
Context: Addressing Systemic Inequalities
This project addresses ongoing systemic anti-Black racism in Canada, which disproportionately impacts Black people's access to education, housing, employment, healthcare, and other resources. The COVID-19 pandemic further highlighted existing disparities, with a July 2020 study finding that Black and racialized people accounted for 83% of reported COVID-19 cases in Ontario. In response, the Black Health Coalition launched the Black Health Strategy in 2022 to address structural inequalities contributing to poor health outcomes among Black people in Ontario.
Promising Interim Evaluation Findings
The Black-focused Social Prescribing Project aims to develop a model grounded in Afrocentric values and principles, focusing on supporting Black families and children in Ontario. Our interim report has revealed significant positive impacts:
Increased client engagement and trust in service providers
Improved mood and well-being among participants
Stronger sense of community belonging and cultural connection
Appreciation for culturally tailored services
Increased client engagement in their health journeys, as observed by Clinical Service Providers
Positive impacts extending to families and communities
Reduced pressure on existing resources for service providers
Stronger collaborations among service providers
Looking Ahead
In 2025, LogicalOutcomes will deliver a final report summarizing the project's performance and evaluation findings, including recommendations for future iterations of the program. Our goal is to contribute to ongoing efforts to improve health outcomes and address systemic inequalities faced by Black communities in Ontario.
Learn More
What is Social Prescribing? Alliance for Healthier Communities
The Black Health Strategy (launched April 2022)
