Health Disparities for Canada's Remote and Northern Residents: Can COVID-19 Help Level the Field?

Abstract

This paper reviews major structural drivers of place-based health disparities in the context of Canada, an industrialized nation with a strong public health system. Likelihood that the COVID-19 pandemic will facilitate rejuvenation of Canada's northern and remote areas through remote working, advances in online teaching and learning, and the increased use of telemedicine are also examined. The paper concludes by identifying some common themes to address healthcare disparities for northern and remote Canadian residents.

Keywords: COVID-19; Canada; Health disparities; Healthcare; Northern; Place; Remote.