Image: Suishanie Brooks, Registered Practical Nurse, and Cathy Wood, Black Health Lead, attend the London Black Health and Wellness Fair on March 29, 2025.
April 10, 2025
On Saturday, March 29, London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) partnered with six local community organizations to host the first-ever London Black Health and Wellness Fair. The event was a free, engaging, and informative day designed specifically for Black individuals and families to learn from local health experts, connect with community resources, and gain valuable insights on health issues that disproportionately impact them.
This event was organized through a collaborative partnership between LHSC, St. Joseph’s Health Care London, Middlesex-London Health Unit, City of London, Western Black Medical Student Association, Access Franco Sante London, and WEAN Community Centre.
“We were thrilled to work so closely with local community partners to make this event possible,” states Cathy Wood, Black Health Lead at LHSC. “The London Black Health and Wellness Fair was an excellent opportunity for Black families to learn about important health topics and empower them to take charge of their health.”
Image: Local community organizations provided educational displays for families to browse at the London Black Health and Wellness Fair.
Hundreds of participants showed up to visit information booths hosted by local health organizations and listen to featured speakers on topics related to Black health. Presentation topics included hypertension, diabetes, mental health, sickle cell disease, and the over-representation of Black families in the child welfare system.
Image: Dr. Ziad Solh, Adult Hematologist and Medical Director of LHSC’s Lifespan Hemoglobinopathy Program, delivered a presentation on sickle cell disease to attendees of the London Black Health and Wellness Fair.
Wood notes that this health fair is critical to supporting London's many diverse Black communities.
“LHSC and our partners know that Black individuals and families have unique needs when it comes to their health and wellbeing, and building awareness around the topics that impact them can help to improve health outcomes,” she explains. “Through this event, we hope families were able to discover information that will enable them to make positive and informed decisions about their health and wellbeing. We are looking forward to making the London Black Health and Wellness Fair bigger and better next year!”