Melvin Firestone
Biographic Data
| ID | 662645 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Melvin Firestone |
| GIVEN NAMES | Melvin |
| FAMILY NAME | Firestone |
| SIGNATURE | FIRESTONE M |
| AFFILIATIONS | St. Michael's Hospital |
| ORCID | 0000-0003-1950-4244 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 26 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 55 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 26 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 1971 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2025 |
| H-INDEX | 5 |
Covid-19 isolation and recovery sites evaluation: Lessons learned for systems innovation
Uncomfortable truths: Teaching about race and anti-Indigenous racism in the classroom
Anti-Indigenous racism education is often framed as a way to improve non-discriminatory care for Indigenous peoples. This study asked: What happens when anti-Indigenous racism is taken up by educators? What makes it challenging to manage in an adult classroom? What strategies are (un)successful? Ten adult educators participated-Indigenous (n = 4), White (n = 3) and non-Indigenous People of Colour (n = 3)-in either an interview or focus group. A p…
The multiple makings of a supervised consumption service in a hospital setting
“They have their security, we have our community”: Mutual support among people experiencing homelessness in encampments in Toronto during the Covid-19 pandemic
Unaffordable housing is a growing crisis in Canada, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, yet perspectives of people living outdoors in encampments have primarily gone unheard. We conducted qualitative interviews with encampment residents to explore how mutual support occurred within the social context of encampments. We found that mutually supportive interactions helped residents meet basic survival needs, as well as health and social needs, and…
Using Concept Mapping to Define Indigenous Housing First in Hamilton, Ontario
Concept mapping draws from local knowledge, elicits strong engagement, and captured the holistic and client-centred approach of an Indigenous Housing First Model
Knowledge translation approaches and practices in Indigenous health research: A systematic review
Mental health and cultural continuity among an urban Indigenous population in Toronto, Canada
OHC Toronto responded to the gaps in health assessment data for urban Indigenous people. Despite historic and ongoing trauma, Indigenous people have maintained cultural practices and a strong sense of identity. Efforts aimed at supporting Indigenous well-being must respond to the roots of trauma, racism, and existing Indigenous community knowledge and strengths
Findings From a Process Evaluation of an Indigenous Holistic Housing Support and Mental Health Case Management Program in Downtown Toronto
While urban Indigenous populations in Canada are increasing and represent many diverse and culturally vibrant communities, disparities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people’s experiences of the social determinants of health are significant. The Mino Kaanjigoowin (MK) program at Na-Me-Res (Native Men’s Residence) in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, supports Indigenous men who are experiencing homelessness or are precariously housed and who have co…
Meeting Indigenous youth where they are at: Knowing and Doing With 2slgbttqqia and Gender Non-Conforming Indigenous Youth: A Qualitative Case Study
This study provides a reminder of the need to centre Indigenous youth throughout PHIR in order to realize sustainable benefit from research, services and programming. It emphasizes the need to recognize Indigenous youth as leaders and partners in these initiatives, support their efforts to self-determine, compensate them as partners, and prioritize Indigenous youth-determined frameworks and accountability mechanisms
Indigenous Health Service Evaluation: Principles and Guidelines from a Provincial “Three Ribbon” Expert Panel
A group of Indigenous health and social service evaluators called the “Three Ribbon” panel came together in Toronto in 2015/16 with the goal of informing a set of evidence-based guidelines for urban Indigenous health and social service and program evaluation. The collective knowledge and experiences of the Three Ribbon panel was gathered through discussion circles and synthesized around the following areas: barriers to conducting Indigenous healt…
“I would prefer to have my health care provided over a cup of tea any day”: Recommendations by urban Métis women to improve access to health and social services in Toronto for the Métis community
This article reports on recommendations made by urban Métis women for improving access to health and social services in Toronto, Canada. By applying a conversational method, this research followed up with a subgroup of urban Métis women who participated in the Our Health Counts Toronto longitudinal cohort. Métis women ( n = 11) provided holistic and practical recommendations for improving access to health and social services. These recommendation…
Vagueness, power and public health: Use of ‘vulnerable‘ in public health literature
Amy S. Katz*a, Billie-Jo Hardyb, Michelle Firestonec, Aisha Loftersde & Melody E. Morton-Ninomiyaf a Centre for Urban Health Solutions, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Canadab Well Living House, Centre for Urban Health Solutions, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Canadac Well Living House, Centre for Urban Health Solutions, St. Michael's Hospital; and, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canadae Department of Famil…
Unmet health needs and discrimination by healthcare providers among an Indigenous population in Toronto, Canada
This analysis provides new evidence linking discrimination in healthcare settings to disparities in healthcare access among urban Indigenous people, reinforcing existing recommendations regarding Indigenous cultural safety training for healthcare providers. Our study further demonstrates Our Health Counts methodologies, which employ robust community partnerships and RDS to address gaps in health information for urban Indigenous populations
I feel safe just coming here because there are other Native brothers and sisters”: Findings from a community-based evaluation of the Niiwin Wendaanimak Four Winds Wellness Program
Our health counts: Population-based measures of urban Inuit health determinants, health status, and health care access
Urban Inuit experience a heavy burden of adverse health determinants and poor health status outcomes. According to urban Inuit in Ottawa, health services available to Inuit at the time of the study were inadequate
Understanding the role of Indigenous community participation in Indigenous prenatal and infant-toddler health promotion programs in Canada: A realist review
PURPOSE: Striking disparities in Indigenous maternal-child health outcomes persist in relatively affluent nations such as Canada, despite significant health promotion investments. The aims of this review were two-fold: 1. To identify Indigenous prenatal and infant-toddler health promotion programs in Canada that demonstrate positive impacts on prenatal or child health outcomes. 2. To understand how, why, for which outcomes, and in what contexts I…
Mental health and substance use in an urban First Nations population in Hamilton, Ontario
Concept Mapping: Application of a Community-Based Methodology in Three Urban Aboriginal Populations
The goal of this research was to develop accessible and culturally relevant urban Aboriginal health information in Ontario. Concept mapping was used to engage Aboriginal stakeholders in identifying health concerns and priorities, with key stakeholders participating from three communities: First Nations people in Hamilton through De dwa da dehs ney>s Aboriginal Health Access Centre (DAHC), Inuit people in Ottawa through Tungasuvvingat Inuit Family…
Fentanyl use among street drug users in Toronto, Canada: Behavioural dynamics and public health implications
Community-Based Services for Homeless Adults Experiencing Concurrent Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders: A Realist Approach to Synthesizing Evidence
Injecting drug users’ experiences of policing practices in two Mexican–U.S. border cities: Public health perspectives
Prevalence and Associated Factors of Hepatitis C Infection (HCV) in a Multi-site Canadian Population of Illicit Opioid and Other Drug Users (Opican)
No Party Hat, No Party: Successful Condom Use in Sex Work in Mexico and the Dominican Republic
Sex workers and their clients are particularly vulnerable to HIV/STI transmission. Most research on condom use has focused on barriers preventing use; less is known about attitudes, motivations and strategies employed by those who feel positively about condoms and who use them successfully. For this qualitative study, we conducted focus group discussions with sex workers (14), both female and transvestite, in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, and female sex…
The Traditional Start Bay Crab Fishery
This is a study of aspects of an enterprise which has only recently passed from practice into memory. The crab fishery of today in South Devon utilizes modern, highly efficient machinery and is no longer the community enterprise of a few villages. The equipment of the traditional small-boat familial fishery will be described, and it will be seen how, given the ecology of the area, the use of such equipment made for a particular work schedule and …
Christmas Mumming and Symbolic Interactionism
Unmet health needs and discrimination by healthcare providers among an Indigenous population in Toronto, Canada
This analysis provides new evidence linking discrimination in healthcare settings to disparities in healthcare access among urban Indigenous people, reinforcing existing recommendations regarding Indigenous cultural safety training for healthcare providers. Our study further demonstrates Our Health Counts methodologies, which employ robust community partnerships and RDS to address gaps in health information for urban Indigenous populations
Community-Based Services for Homeless Adults Experiencing Concurrent Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders: A Realist Approach to Synthesizing Evidence
I feel safe just coming here because there are other Native brothers and sisters”: Findings from a community-based evaluation of the Niiwin Wendaanimak Four Winds Wellness Program
Mental health and substance use in an urban First Nations population in Hamilton, Ontario
Christmas Mumming and Symbolic Interactionism
Our health counts: Population-based measures of urban Inuit health determinants, health status, and health care access
Urban Inuit experience a heavy burden of adverse health determinants and poor health status outcomes. According to urban Inuit in Ottawa, health services available to Inuit at the time of the study were inadequate
No Party Hat, No Party: Successful Condom Use in Sex Work in Mexico and the Dominican Republic
Sex workers and their clients are particularly vulnerable to HIV/STI transmission. Most research on condom use has focused on barriers preventing use; less is known about attitudes, motivations and strategies employed by those who feel positively about condoms and who use them successfully. For this qualitative study, we conducted focus group discussions with sex workers (14), both female and transvestite, in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, and female sex…
Uncomfortable truths: Teaching about race and anti-Indigenous racism in the classroom
Anti-Indigenous racism education is often framed as a way to improve non-discriminatory care for Indigenous peoples. This study asked: What happens when anti-Indigenous racism is taken up by educators? What makes it challenging to manage in an adult classroom? What strategies are (un)successful? Ten adult educators participated-Indigenous (n = 4), White (n = 3) and non-Indigenous People of Colour (n = 3)-in either an interview or focus group. A p…
Mental health and cultural continuity among an urban Indigenous population in Toronto, Canada
OHC Toronto responded to the gaps in health assessment data for urban Indigenous people. Despite historic and ongoing trauma, Indigenous people have maintained cultural practices and a strong sense of identity. Efforts aimed at supporting Indigenous well-being must respond to the roots of trauma, racism, and existing Indigenous community knowledge and strengths
Prevalence and Associated Factors of Hepatitis C Infection (HCV) in a Multi-site Canadian Population of Illicit Opioid and Other Drug Users (Opican)
Spanish-speaking Jews in the United States
Spanish-speaking Jews in the United States
Christmas Mumming and Symbolic Interactionism
The Traditional Start Bay Crab Fishery
This is a study of aspects of an enterprise which has only recently passed from practice into memory. The crab fishery of today in South Devon utilizes modern, highly efficient machinery and is no longer the community enterprise of a few villages. The equipment of the traditional small-boat familial fishery will be described, and it will be seen how, given the ecology of the area, the use of such equipment made for a particular work schedule and …
No Party Hat, No Party: Successful Condom Use in Sex Work in Mexico and the Dominican Republic
Sex workers and their clients are particularly vulnerable to HIV/STI transmission. Most research on condom use has focused on barriers preventing use; less is known about attitudes, motivations and strategies employed by those who feel positively about condoms and who use them successfully. For this qualitative study, we conducted focus group discussions with sex workers (14), both female and transvestite, in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, and female sex…
Injecting drug users’ experiences of policing practices in two Mexican–U.S. border cities: Public health perspectives
Prevalence and Associated Factors of Hepatitis C Infection (HCV) in a Multi-site Canadian Population of Illicit Opioid and Other Drug Users (Opican)
Fentanyl use among street drug users in Toronto, Canada: Behavioural dynamics and public health implications
Community-Based Services for Homeless Adults Experiencing Concurrent Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders: A Realist Approach to Synthesizing Evidence
Concept Mapping: Application of a Community-Based Methodology in Three Urban Aboriginal Populations
The goal of this research was to develop accessible and culturally relevant urban Aboriginal health information in Ontario. Concept mapping was used to engage Aboriginal stakeholders in identifying health concerns and priorities, with key stakeholders participating from three communities: First Nations people in Hamilton through De dwa da dehs ney>s Aboriginal Health Access Centre (DAHC), Inuit people in Ottawa through Tungasuvvingat Inuit Family…
Mental health and substance use in an urban First Nations population in Hamilton, Ontario
Understanding the role of Indigenous community participation in Indigenous prenatal and infant-toddler health promotion programs in Canada: A realist review
PURPOSE: Striking disparities in Indigenous maternal-child health outcomes persist in relatively affluent nations such as Canada, despite significant health promotion investments. The aims of this review were two-fold: 1. To identify Indigenous prenatal and infant-toddler health promotion programs in Canada that demonstrate positive impacts on prenatal or child health outcomes. 2. To understand how, why, for which outcomes, and in what contexts I…
Our health counts: Population-based measures of urban Inuit health determinants, health status, and health care access
Urban Inuit experience a heavy burden of adverse health determinants and poor health status outcomes. According to urban Inuit in Ottawa, health services available to Inuit at the time of the study were inadequate
“I would prefer to have my health care provided over a cup of tea any day”: Recommendations by urban Métis women to improve access to health and social services in Toronto for the Métis community
This article reports on recommendations made by urban Métis women for improving access to health and social services in Toronto, Canada. By applying a conversational method, this research followed up with a subgroup of urban Métis women who participated in the Our Health Counts Toronto longitudinal cohort. Métis women ( n = 11) provided holistic and practical recommendations for improving access to health and social services. These recommendation…
Vagueness, power and public health: Use of ‘vulnerable‘ in public health literature
Amy S. Katz*a, Billie-Jo Hardyb, Michelle Firestonec, Aisha Loftersde & Melody E. Morton-Ninomiyaf a Centre for Urban Health Solutions, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Canadab Well Living House, Centre for Urban Health Solutions, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Canadac Well Living House, Centre for Urban Health Solutions, St. Michael's Hospital; and, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canadae Department of Famil…
Unmet health needs and discrimination by healthcare providers among an Indigenous population in Toronto, Canada
This analysis provides new evidence linking discrimination in healthcare settings to disparities in healthcare access among urban Indigenous people, reinforcing existing recommendations regarding Indigenous cultural safety training for healthcare providers. Our study further demonstrates Our Health Counts methodologies, which employ robust community partnerships and RDS to address gaps in health information for urban Indigenous populations
I feel safe just coming here because there are other Native brothers and sisters”: Findings from a community-based evaluation of the Niiwin Wendaanimak Four Winds Wellness Program
Meeting Indigenous youth where they are at: Knowing and Doing With 2slgbttqqia and Gender Non-Conforming Indigenous Youth: A Qualitative Case Study
This study provides a reminder of the need to centre Indigenous youth throughout PHIR in order to realize sustainable benefit from research, services and programming. It emphasizes the need to recognize Indigenous youth as leaders and partners in these initiatives, support their efforts to self-determine, compensate them as partners, and prioritize Indigenous youth-determined frameworks and accountability mechanisms
Indigenous Health Service Evaluation: Principles and Guidelines from a Provincial “Three Ribbon” Expert Panel
A group of Indigenous health and social service evaluators called the “Three Ribbon” panel came together in Toronto in 2015/16 with the goal of informing a set of evidence-based guidelines for urban Indigenous health and social service and program evaluation. The collective knowledge and experiences of the Three Ribbon panel was gathered through discussion circles and synthesized around the following areas: barriers to conducting Indigenous healt…
Findings From a Process Evaluation of an Indigenous Holistic Housing Support and Mental Health Case Management Program in Downtown Toronto
While urban Indigenous populations in Canada are increasing and represent many diverse and culturally vibrant communities, disparities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people’s experiences of the social determinants of health are significant. The Mino Kaanjigoowin (MK) program at Na-Me-Res (Native Men’s Residence) in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, supports Indigenous men who are experiencing homelessness or are precariously housed and who have co…
“They have their security, we have our community”: Mutual support among people experiencing homelessness in encampments in Toronto during the Covid-19 pandemic
Unaffordable housing is a growing crisis in Canada, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, yet perspectives of people living outdoors in encampments have primarily gone unheard. We conducted qualitative interviews with encampment residents to explore how mutual support occurred within the social context of encampments. We found that mutually supportive interactions helped residents meet basic survival needs, as well as health and social needs, and…
Using Concept Mapping to Define Indigenous Housing First in Hamilton, Ontario
Concept mapping draws from local knowledge, elicits strong engagement, and captured the holistic and client-centred approach of an Indigenous Housing First Model
Knowledge translation approaches and practices in Indigenous health research: A systematic review
Mental health and cultural continuity among an urban Indigenous population in Toronto, Canada
OHC Toronto responded to the gaps in health assessment data for urban Indigenous people. Despite historic and ongoing trauma, Indigenous people have maintained cultural practices and a strong sense of identity. Efforts aimed at supporting Indigenous well-being must respond to the roots of trauma, racism, and existing Indigenous community knowledge and strengths
The multiple makings of a supervised consumption service in a hospital setting
Covid-19 isolation and recovery sites evaluation: Lessons learned for systems innovation
Medicine (19 works) · Political science (14 works) · Sociology (14 works) · Indigenous (11 works) · Nursing (11 works) · Public health (11 works) · Environmental health (10 works) · Indigenous Health, Education, and Rights (10 works) · Psychology (10 works) · HIV, Drug Use, Sexual Risk (7 works)