UBC Faculty of Medicine researchers have received more than $4.3 million from the Government of Canada to address barriers to abortion access for underserved populations.
The funding, awarded through Canada’s Sexual and Reproductive Health Fund, supports a nationwide project led by UBC’s Contraception and Abortion Research Team (CART). The project brings together academic and community partners across the country to address the abortion information, access and appropriate care needs of key underserved groups, including people who are Indigenous, racialized, migrants, homeless, 2SLGBTQI+, youth and those with disabilities and complex health concerns.
“Our team, and our partner organizations engaged in this work across Canada, are honoured and delighted to have this opportunity,” said principal investigator Dr. Wendy Norman, professor and interim co-head of UBC’s department of family practice, Canada Research Chair in Family Planning Innovation, and CART director and founder. “This award will advance equitable access to respectful high-quality abortion care that is welcoming and appropriate for people from all cultures and identity groups. Health Canada’s funding has been essential to support CART to convene national primary care health professional organizations to work in concert advancing patient care.”
This project leverages CART’s long-standing relationships across Canada with health professional organizations, regulators, educators, health-service providers and representatives of underserved populations. Together, the team will update content on the Canadian Abortion Provider Support Website, host a national knowledge mobilization event, and develop patient-facing resources and healthcare provider learning tools and resources.
While barriers to abortion access vary across Canada, they include a lack of culturally-safe, stigma-free sexual and reproductive health services and information resources. Previous experiences of discrimination within the health care system also create access barriers for minority and marginalized groups. The CART project will develop a suite of key resources to help address these barriers.
The funding is part of a $13 million federal investment announced this week by the Honourable Marjorie Michel, Canada’s Minister of Health. The investment supports 15 community-based projects aimed at making sexual and reproductive health services more accessible for people in Canada.
“Every person in Canada deserves access to comprehensive, inclusive and culturally safe sexual and reproductive health services, no matter who they are or where they live,” said Minister Michel. “Through projects like the ones announced today, the government is taking concrete actions to advance health equity and gender equality, so more Canadians can fully participate in the workforce.”
Learn more about all the funded projects on the Government of Canada website.