A Place to Start: Community Health Information Fairs in North York
Across North York, primary care providers and community organizations have teamed up to offer low-barrier, culturally sensitive health services to residents without OHIP coverage.
Twice a month, Community Health Information Fairs (CHIFs) provide a welcoming space where North York residents can connect with nurses, receive essential screenings like Pap smears and even take part in wellness activities such as cooking classes.
The program, co-designed by North York Toronto Health Partners Ontario Health Team and community partners, brings together community health centres, the North York Family Health Team and community support services to provide care in accessible, non-clinical spaces.
“In North York, a fifth of our population has no dedicated primary care provider,” says Dr. David Eisen, a family doctor and former chief of the Department of Family and Community Medicine at North York General Hospital. “The Community Health Information Fairs are our way of stitching the health system together for those who don’t have a family doctor they can call when they need it.”
Although the CHIFs initially launched as a COVID-19 vaccination clinic, the team quickly realized that many attendees were overdue for cancer screening tests and needed support with mental health, diabetes prevention and even settlement services.
Teresina Stanichevsky, who moved to North York in 2007 and began volunteering with the Flemingdon Health Centre, now leads a team of 11 ambassadors working to ensure that news of each health fair reaches those who need it.
“It is my passion to talk to people, to help people. When you come to Canada, like I did in the seventies from South America, it is hard. You need personal, face-to-face support to figure out how everything works.”
These ambassadors are a vital link, listening and sharing information to ensure the health fairs reflect the needs of each community.
“Our ambassadors are out there, talking to community members and finding out what they are struggling with. For many it is mental health, food insecurity and system navigation,” says Dr. Maria Muraca, a family doctor, co-chair of the Primary Care Network of North York Toronto Health Partners Ontario Health Team and past medical director of the North York Family Health Team. “Many aren’t able to access a family doctor or aren’t comfortable in clinical settings but will come back again and again to discuss preventive health measures and update their cancer screening tests with our nurse, or chat with our ambassadors.”
Since 2022, the team has hosted more than 25 health fairs and reached over 1,000 local residents — 86 per cent of whom are women. Most attendees lack a primary care provider (35 per cent) or prefer to see a female care provider.
“It was a light in my heart to have this appointment!” says Mastenah, a local resident and clinic attendee. “My husband and I have been in Canada for one year, waiting for our work permits, and still do not have access to regular care. We are both over 50 and have been told we need to have blood pressure checks and cancer screenings regularly. I am happy that this service exists, and it gives me confidence for the future.”
As interest grows, the team is expanding its services to provide more chronic disease screening and management. For example, visitors screened for diabetes and hypertension can now receive follow-up care from a nurse practitioner with the family health team.
For Teresina, it is these personal touches that make the program successful.
“Technology is amazing, but it doesn’t reach people when they really need it. Yes, we can look online or scan a QR code, but when there is so much information you don’t know where to start, it is too overwhelming.
“The fairs give people a place to start, but we don’t say, ‘Come to the health fair.’ We say, ‘Come and see me, I will be there,’ and that’s what brings them.”
Number of DFCM faculty at North York General Hospital: 199
Originally published in the 2024-2025 Family Medicine Report. Read the full report