The Black Physicians' Association of Ontario (BPAO) plays a vital role in addressing health disparities affecting Black Ontarians. Our Continuing Professional Development (CPD) events are designed to equip all healthcare professionals with the knowledge needed to meet the unique health needs of Black and Racialized communities, while also highlighting the systemic barriers that prevent equitable healthcare access.
On November 30th, 2024, we invite you to join us at the historic Omni King Edward Hotel in downtown Toronto for a full-day CPD event focused on Black Women's Health. This event will provide up-to-date insights into managing a range of health issues specific to Black women, including fertility, breast cancer, menorrhagia, anemia, PCOS, metabolic syndrome, the use of semaglutides, menopause, aging, and dementia.
Attendees will include family physicians, obstetricians and gynecologists, nurse practitioners, medical learners, and allied health professionals.
Why Focus on Black Women’s Health?
There is a well-documented gap in the health outcomes of Black women, driven largely by a lack of targeted research. However the combination of limited data from Canada, robust data from the United States, and the United Kingdom reveal significant risks to the health of Black women.
For example, Canadian epidemiological studies show disparities in breast cancer outcomes among racialized women, including Black, Indigenous, Asian, and Hispanic populations. Although White women have a higher incidence of breast cancer, racialized women are diagnosed younger, with more aggressive subtypes and later-stage disease, contributing to higher mortality rates.
In addition, Black women are nearly twice as likely as their White counterparts to experience infertility, but are half as likely to receive medical assistance. Fertility treatments remain largely inaccessible, further compounding inequities. Black women are also more prone to conditions like metabolic syndrome, endometriosis, and fibroids—all of which can impact fertility and overall health. Fibroids, in particular, affect Black women at three times the rate of White women, leading to higher incidences of miscarriage and infertility.
In Ontario, around 40% of women and girls suffer from iron deficiency, with marginalized groups, including Black women, disproportionately affected due to heavy menstrual bleeding often caused by fibroids.
Our Commitment
The BPAO has hosted CPD events for over a decade. In response to the growing demand from our community for culturally competent care, we are proud to present our first CPD event dedicated to Black Women's Health. Our goal is to bring together physicians and allied health professionals to learn, share, and expand their knowledge of health topics that disproportionately affect Black and racialized women—while fostering a supportive and engaging environment.
The BPAO Women's Health Conference aligns with our mission to promote health equity for Black women by educating all healthcare providers about the critical health concerns affecting these communities.
