Canada's first Black medical journal launches in Edmonton

The Canadian Association of Nigerian Physicians and Dentists is launching the first Black health journal in Canada.

The Canadian Nigerian Medical Journal serves as a place where diagnoses, targeted treatments, and ongoing research are shared as they pertain to the Black community, with the goal of improving health outcomes for Black Canadians.

The launch took place this weekend in Edmonton, and the journal's editor-in-chief, Dr. Moses Ademola, hopes it will serve as a platform for unique insights and contributions from the Black medical community.

"Because of our background and culture and experiences we've had, we also tend to have some knowledge that is very unique, and we want to introduce that into an academic journal," he said.

A Government of Canada public health agency study highlights the health inequities faced by Black individuals living in Canada.

According to the study, Black Canadians experience health and social inequities linked to processes of discrimination at multiple levels of society, including individual, interpersonal, institutional, and societal discrimination.

"This is a dream that we've always had for the last 24 years," said Dr. Modupe Tunde-Byass, a sectional head of the journal.

"Most of the people who are behind these journals have trained in two or three continents. So they are bringing knowledge, the skill set to be able to come up with this journal," she said.

"We're hoping to tap into everything that happens to all Canadians, even with more focus on people who look like us."

Medical journals are peer-reviewed scientific publications that distribute medical information to healthcare professionals and the public.

They serve as a platform for sharing research findings, clinical insights, and other relevant information to advance medical knowledge and practice.

"While it is published by a diaspora Black organization, it's actually an international medical journal that is peer reviewed and that will be available in print and as open access, so everybody can access it," said Dr. Segun Oyedokun, the journal's deputy editor.

"One of the things that also stands out is we don't expect others to pay high fees to submit their work, because we receive significant support from members," he added.

Ademola said he hopes the journal can shed some light on issues and topics that aren't often covered by other publications.

"This is just the beginning. There's an African adage that says that one can run fast, many can go further. We need more help. We want to go further with this," said Ademola.