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It may be comforting to believe every Canadian enjoys the same standard of health care, but the facts show otherwise. 

According to the , health inequities do indeed exist—some Canadians receive excellent care, while others face barriers tied to factors like income.

The Person to Population (P2) Initiative—a flagship program of the Libin Cardiovascular Institute— is addressing this problem with a new focus: exposing and addressing cardiovascular health inequities in Alberta and beyond.

“Most people in Canada have the impression that we live in a system with universal access, but when you look at the data or listen to marginalized groups you see a different story,” says P2 co-lead Dr. David Campbell, MD, PhD. “It’s quite disturbing that some people receive world-class care and others don’t.”

Formed in 2016, P2 unites epidemiologists, cardiologists, data scientists, community engagement researchers and public health experts. The team has the expertise to lead nationally in cardiovascular equity research.

Several P2 members already study inequities: Dr. Campbell focuses on diabetes and homelessness; others examine food insecurity, disease prevention in immigrant communities and unequal access to new medications and devices.

Campbell says members are energized by the new direction.

“We have an opportunity to fill a niche in cardiovascular health inequity research in Canada,” says Campbell. “Cardiovascular health inequities are fundamentally addressable. By bringing to light and conducting research, we can make a change.”

One person’s story is showing how this vision is already becoming a reality. 

From Homelessness to Health Equity Research

Matthew Larsen’s path to becoming a researcher began in the most unlikely of places—while he was living with diabetes and experiencing homelessness. “It made everything twice as hard,” he says.

That changed in 2019, when he spotted a flyer for a research study focused on people experiencing diabetes and homelessness. Curious, he joined his first meeting of the Toronto Clients with Diabetes Action Committee (Toronto CDAC) and began working as a community co-researcher with Dr. Campbell.

He was struck by how respectfully academic researchers treated participants and by the value they placed on lived experience.

In 2021, Larsen and Campbell started the Calgary Diabetes Advocacy Committee (CDAC). Larsen’s role was as a peer researcher. Listening to others in the group share their stories of hardship and resilience sparked an interest in understanding why some people flourish despite immense challenges. He eventually decided to pursue a master’s degree in Community Health Sciences under Campbell’s supervision.

Supported by the Libin Cardiovascular Institute’s P2 Graduate Scholarship for Cardiovascular Health Promotion, Larsen recently completed his degree. His unique research project, for which he worked closely with the CDAC, focused on how shame affects this population and how resilience can be built through supportive communities.

“Being unable to control your life causes shame,” says Larsen. “The best way to overcome shame is by connecting with people who understand. My goal is to empower people by giving them tools to reduce shame.”

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