Toronto Board of Health mtg today: TO Supports: COVID-19 Equity Action Plan + twenty-five equity actions & targeted & enhanced #healthequity measures to support Torontonians disproportionately impacted by COVID-19: http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgendaItemHistory.do?item=2020.HL24.1

YouTube at 9:30:

. @cityoftoronto recognizes the importance of #community #nonprofit sector in building health equity. @TOnonprofits @AllianceON @iphcc

Even with community and municipal leadership by people like @CherylPrescod and @joe_cressy, geographic patterns persist. We need investment and support from all levels of government to resource communities.

*New* programs and services include #food access, #mentalhealth, and free wifi and devices for #digitalequity.

$ for community sector and rapid rehousing.

Mobile testing on ttc buses plus other actions to improve access for flu shots, testing and isolation

Remember, communities need the 4 Rs: resource community, reduce contacts, represent diverse voices, release data transparently. Thank you @TOPublicHealth for taking action on these.

Denise Andrea Campbell speaks about sharing COVID information in many languages and the importance of the trusted relationships and knowledge of community agencies like #CHCs and #AHACs.

. @epdevilla and Denise Andrea Campbell speak about building on trusted relationships to advance immunization in marginalized communities. Great to hear #vaccine outreach and support goes beyond translation to include the influence of community leaders and more.

Black and Indigenous health leaders have reminded resilience and health equity planners that underlying structural conditions including racism must also be addressed.

. @joe_cressy asks for status update on health equity dashboard indicators - they are expected in January 2021.

This is the direction #TOpoli, #ONpoli, #ONHealth, #CDNpoli & #CDNHealth needs to go in for #HealthEquity!

1. Release data
2. Reduce contacts
3. Represent affected communities at decision making tables
4. Resource community agencies to take the lead

Amazing: @Canada's first embedded #HealthEquity plan passes at the Board!

Thank you @joe_cressy & @kristynwongtam for your leadership on this, and to @cityoftoronto and @TOPublicHealth staff for all the firsts in this leading work!

More to do after this important step.

Testing rates have improved in many parts including hotspots.

Rate ratios for Latin American and Indo Caribbean populations going up
Going down for Black populations. Low income people still over represented.

Equity metrics coming soon, in consultation with community cluster tables.

Demand for mental health virtual and telephone supports went up in wave 1.

Many worried about kids' education, getting less physical activity, lower quality sleep.

Most people support public health measures and intend to get the vaccine. But many people are fatigued and unsure.

TPH will involve communities in vaccine planning.

Toronto will follow Ottawa, Peel and Waterloo in disclosing workplace outbreak information. @SaraMojtehedz

More actions for safer workplaces are needed.

. @joe_cressy anticipates a "brutal January" if we don't take strong action at ALL levels of government now.

We need about 70% for herd immunity, and 73% of those.polled say they intend to be vaccinated. Good signs, but much to do to ensure a comprehensive and fair vaccine rollout.