Black Health Canada Knowledge Hub

Journal Article

  • A novel CYP2A6 allele, CYP2A6*23, impairs enzyme function in vitro and in vivo and decreases smoking in a population of Black-African descent

    Objectives: CYP2A6 is the main enzyme involved in nicotine metabolism in humans. We have identified a novel allele, CYP2A6*23 (2161C>T, R203C), in individuals of Black-African descent and investigated its impact on enzyme activity and association with smoking status. Methods: Wild-type and variant enzymes containing amino acid changes R203C (CYP2A6*23), R203S (CYP2A6*16) and V365M (CYP2A6*17) were…

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  • A population-based analysis of the health experience of African Nova Scotians

    Background: People of African descent living in Britain and the United States have higher rates of morbidity from chronic disease than among the general population. We investigated whether the same applied to people of African descent living in a Canadian province. Methods: We used administrative data to calculate 10-year cumulative incidence rate ratios for the…

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  • Ethnic di ff erences in self-rated and functional health: does immigrant status matter?

    The current study examines self-rated health status and functional health differences between first-generation immigrant and Canadian-born (CB) persons who share the same ethnocultural origin, and the extent to which such differences reflect social structural and health-related behavioural contexts. Multivariate analyses of data from the 2000/2001 Canadian Community Health Survey indicate that first-generation immigrants of Black…

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  • HIV Prevention for Black Women: Structural Barriers and Opportunities

    Black women bear a disproportionate burden of HIV/AIDS in North America. The purpose of this investigation was to explore Black Canadian women’s perspectives on HIV risk and prevention. Four 90-minute focus groups (n526) and six key informant interviews were conducted in Toronto with Black women of African and Caribbean descent and low socioeconomic status. Data…

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  • Experiences of and responses to HIV among African and Caribbean communities in Toronto, Canada

    African and Caribbean communities in Canada and other developed countries are disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS. This qualitative study of African and Caribbean communities in Toronto sought to understand HIV-related stigma, discrimination, denial and fear, and the effects of multiple intersecting factors that influence responses to the disease, prevention practices and access to treatment and support…

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  • Towards a global citizenship education for Caribbean Canadian youth

    The number of people living in Canada of Caribbean heritage has increased substantially over the past forty years. This paper examines aspects of Caribbean culture and Caribbean education culture to explore if Caribbean Canadians can claim a Caribbean education philosophy. The research claims there is one. The article suggests that this philosophy should be recognized…

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  • The use of traditional medicine by Ghanaians in Canada.

    Background: Research into health and health-care seeking behaviour amongst immigrant populations suggests that culturally-based behaviours change over time towards those prevalent in the host culture. Such acculturation of immigrant groups occurs as part of the interaction of immigrants with mainstream culture. This study examined the acculturation of Ghanaian immigrants in Greater Toronto Area (Canada) focusing…

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  • Utilization of physician services for diabetic patients from ethnic minorities.

    Background: Diabetes is a common chronic disease, which results in significant morbidity and mortality. Although ethnic variations in disease prevalence are known, variations in the utilization of physician services for the disease (particularly in publicly funded health care systems) are uncertain. Methods: Self-reported ethnicity was determined from two population health surveys in Ontario, Canada. These…

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