Health Equity Framework for Nova Scotia

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NOTE: this project engagement has now closed and the results are being reviewed. The Health Equity Framework is scheduled to be publicly released in July, 2023.

Thank you for your interest and input on this important work!


Some people in Nova Scotia experience poorer health outcomes compared to the general population. The realities of systemic racism and discrimination are closely linked to these differences in health status. Some of the groups experiencing poorer health include, among others:

  • Mi’kmaq and other Indigenous people

  • African Nova Scotians and People of African descent

  • 2SLGTBQIA+ people

  • Disabled people

  • Newcomers, immigrants, and refugees

  • Historically underrepresented racialized groups

Health equity means all people can achieve their full health potential and are not prevented from this because of their race, language, culture, gender, sexual orientation, religious association, ability/disability, or any other characteristic.

Nova Scotia’s Department of Health and Wellness (DHW) is leading the development a Health Equity Framework with partners across the health system, to be released in July 2023. The Health Equity Framework is a requirement in NS Bill 96, The “Dismantling Racism and Hate Act”, passed in Spring 2022.

The health system influences the health of the population, but the causes of health inequity are complex. They include factors like income and education that are outside of the control of DHW.

The Health Equity Framework will call for actions to make Nova Scotia's health system more appropriate, effective, and free from barriers and discrimination.

With that in mind, the Health Equity Framework will call for actions across Nova Scotia’s health system to make it more appropriate, accessible, and effective for all who need it and for those who work within it. We recognize that often, those who need the most help get the least.

We want to hear from you

DHW and our health system partners are asking people, groups, and communities across the province to share their experiences with our health system – positive and negative. This will help us know what we need to include in the Health Equity Framework and will help our health system to become more trusted and effective for everyone it serves.

Pour voir cette page en français, cliquez ici.



NOTE: this project engagement has now closed and the results are being reviewed. The Health Equity Framework is scheduled to be publicly released in July, 2023.

Thank you for your interest and input on this important work!


Some people in Nova Scotia experience poorer health outcomes compared to the general population. The realities of systemic racism and discrimination are closely linked to these differences in health status. Some of the groups experiencing poorer health include, among others:

  • Mi’kmaq and other Indigenous people

  • African Nova Scotians and People of African descent

  • 2SLGTBQIA+ people

  • Disabled people

  • Newcomers, immigrants, and refugees

  • Historically underrepresented racialized groups

Health equity means all people can achieve their full health potential and are not prevented from this because of their race, language, culture, gender, sexual orientation, religious association, ability/disability, or any other characteristic.

Nova Scotia’s Department of Health and Wellness (DHW) is leading the development a Health Equity Framework with partners across the health system, to be released in July 2023. The Health Equity Framework is a requirement in NS Bill 96, The “Dismantling Racism and Hate Act”, passed in Spring 2022.

The health system influences the health of the population, but the causes of health inequity are complex. They include factors like income and education that are outside of the control of DHW.

The Health Equity Framework will call for actions to make Nova Scotia's health system more appropriate, effective, and free from barriers and discrimination.

With that in mind, the Health Equity Framework will call for actions across Nova Scotia’s health system to make it more appropriate, accessible, and effective for all who need it and for those who work within it. We recognize that often, those who need the most help get the least.

We want to hear from you

DHW and our health system partners are asking people, groups, and communities across the province to share their experiences with our health system – positive and negative. This will help us know what we need to include in the Health Equity Framework and will help our health system to become more trusted and effective for everyone it serves.

Pour voir cette page en français, cliquez ici.



Page last updated: 01 Mar 2023, 01:31 PM