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Black Health Programs See Huge Demand Surge
10 Jun
Summary
- Brotherhood program saw mental health demand jump by over 1200%.
- Sisterhood program's primary care visits increased 30-fold.
- Expansion to other areas of the province is proposed.
The Nova Scotia Brotherhood and Nova Scotia Sisterhood programs, offering culturally appropriate health care to Black and African Nova Scotian patients, are facing a significant surge in demand. These barrier-free initiatives, operating within the province's central health zone, have seen remarkable growth since their respective launches.
The Brotherhood program, established in 2015, reported a dramatic 1200% increase in mental health care demand for men, rising from 64 in 2022-23 to 855 in 2025-26. Primary care access also grew substantially, serving 683 men in 2025-26.
The Sisterhood program, launched in 2023, has also experienced rapid expansion. Primary care appointments for women increased from 42 to 1,272 in 2025-26, with mental health care requests reaching 445, a sharp rise from 32.
These successes have prompted proposals for a phased expansion of the programs across Nova Scotia. Initial plans suggest establishing dedicated sites in Halifax's North End and near the historic Black communities of Cherry Brook and East Preston, aiming for community-led governance. However, a specific timeline for provincial approval and expansion remains undetermined.
