Addressing Health Inequities & Misinformation
Toronto Public Library
Innovation Synopsis
Public libraries play a key role in providing trusted and relevant community health information and connections to health resources in the communities they serve.
Toronto Public Library works alongside key partners such as Toronto Public Health (TPH), University Health Network (UHN) and Women’s College Hospital (WCH) to provide a range of health and wellness supports for the public, including curated collections, trusted programs and services aimed at supporting misinformation and access to health information for all ages and stages of life. These programs and services are delivered collaboratively in TPL branches and offsite at community locations such as low-income seniors’ apartment buildings and other naturally occurring retirement communities (NORCs).
Challenge/Opportunity
Given the shortages of family doctors and primary care providers in Ontario, many Torontonians face barriers and reduced access to health and wellness supports. Healthcare gaps are further exacerbated across vulnerability lines such as socioeconomic status, gender, age, ethnic background, citizenship status, disability, and languages spoken. Many people do not have access to primary care and are increasingly visiting emergency rooms for support.
Finding reliable health information can also feel daunting given the multitude of sources online and across various media; the Canadian Medical Association cites top sources as news outlets, social media, search engines, and AI. The rise of health misinformation and disinformation poses a great threat to people’s health and wellbeing. This can make it unclear when or where to access timely, trustworthy care or discourage people from seeking medical treatment altogether.
Key Elements of Innovation
TPL developed “Your Health Matters”, a health-focused initiative that prioritizes access to trusted resources & strategic partnerships to provide expert and trusted access to health information through:
A curated collection of trusted health resources, selected in consultation with TPH and TPL staff, on a wide range of health topics.
A series of health-focused programs, led by experts and delivered in partnership with community health organizations, networks, hospitals and public health units.
Providing access to primary care supports in TPL spaces through partnerships with UHN and Ontario Health Teams, delivering information and access to care outside of existing community health organizations.
Reaching vulnerable seniors in Toronto Seniors Housing buildings and NORCs across the city, building relationships and providing access to health information and resources at their point of need; developing continuity of care through referrals to WCH and UHN’s NORC Innovation Centre.
Achieved Outcomes
TPL’s Your Health Matters and Community Librarian initiatives have achieved numerous successes:
From January to September 2025, delivered over 20 health-focused programs with over 1000 participants, led by experts on topics including social connection, menopause and mental health.
Launched a curated collection of 75 expert-reviewed titles for all ages.
Developed key partnerships with University Health Network to deliver primary care supports in library spaces to reach underserved and vulnerable residents.
Community Librarians have connected with over 6,700 seniors from 2022 to 2025 and delivered nearly 1,400 programs, events and activities onsite at 25 TSHC locations, including digital literacy programs on how to access government and healthcare resources in collaboration with Baycrest Health Sciences.
