Offering Hyper-local Community Health and Information Fairs Through an Ontario Health Team to Provide Low-Barrier Access to Care.

Background: Pre-existing care gaps such as cancer screening, vaccines, chronic disease management, and access to health and community support services have been exacerbated during the pandemic in neighbourhoods that have health inequalities impacted by social determinants of health. We have developed an innovative, person and community-centered approach to increase access to health and care resources in equity-deserving neighbourhoods in North York, Ontario, Canada through Community Health and Information Fairs (CHIFs).

Approach: North York Toronto Health Partners Ontario Health Team has worked collaboratively in partnership with local community health centers, the North York Family Health Team, community support services, community ambassadors, and physicians to organize and execute Community Health and Information Fairs (CHIFs) to increase community access to health and care resources, particularly for those without a dedicated primary care provider. The goal of the CHIFs is to improve community health by providing low-barrier access to care in equity-deserving neighbourhoods. Offerings at the CHIFs have been designed based on input from community partners and analysis of local health reporting data such as cancer screening rates and numbers of unattached patients. Community ambassadors, who are trusted and known members of the local community, have been trained in cancer screening guidelines and engaged to educate community members, encourage them to come to the CHIFs to access cancer screening tests and blood pressure/blood sugar checks, and help connect people to local community health centres and/or link them to Health Care Connect Ontario to gain access to a primary care provider. The CHIFs are held at times, in locations, and in ways guided by information from the community partners and ambassadors in order to provide culturally sensitive and informed care.

Results: Over the past two years, we have held 20 CHIFs, completed 67 cancer screenings, 0 blood pressure readings, and  blood glucose readings. At least 30% of the attendees reported not currently having a primary care provider. The multi-disciplinary CHIFs have provided unattached and equity-deserving patients access to primary care providers offering cancer preventive education and screening (cervical, breast and colorectal), health promotion and prevention education, and referrals to community support services and agencies including mental health services. On-the-spot blood pressure and blood sugar checks have supported individuals with their risk of illness and helped them to navigate the appropriate health providers or community resources needed to manage their chronic diseases and address other health requirements.

Implications: By leveraging existing community resources, collaborating with local partners organizations, and partnering with community ambassadors, we have been able to support the preventative care and chronic disease management needs of equity-deserving people experiencing barriers to accessing primary care through the innovative person and community-centered strategy of organizing CHIFs. Community ambassadors in particular have been crucial to the success of this endeavour by providing insight into the specific needs and interests of local communities, as well as building trust, engagement, and mobilizing local support for the CHIFs.