Dr. Airica Steed on Canada Measles Outbreak: This Is a Wake-Up Call to Restore Trust in Public Health

As Canada faces a growing measles outbreak—most notably in Ontario with cases rapidly emerging across other provinces—Dr. Airica Steed, internationally renowned healthcare executive and equity-driven reformer, is calling for immediate action to prevent a potential public health crisis.

With multiple confirmed cases and rising community transmission, Canadian health authorities have sounded the alarm over one of the most contagious infectious diseases in the world. Dr. Airica Steed, known for her relentless advocacy for healthcare justice and systemic transformation, believes this outbreak highlights critical vulnerabilities in public health infrastructure, trust, and vaccine equity.

“Measles is a vaccine-preventable disease. This outbreak was avoidable,” said Dr. Airica Steed. “What we are witnessing is not just a virus spreading—it’s a symptom of eroded public trust, misinformation, and inequality in access to care.”

Understanding the Threat

The measles virus is not just highly contagious—it is dangerous. For every 10 people who come in contact with the virus, 9 will get infected if they are not vaccinated. The recent outbreak in Ontario has included both adults and children, many of whom were either unvaccinated or had incomplete immunization histories.

Dr. Airica Steed warns that the implications of this outbreak could be long-lasting if not handled with urgency. “Measles can lead to severe complications, including pneumonia, brain swelling, and even death. And these risks are magnified in low-income, marginalized, and immunocompromised populations,” she noted.

As a visionary leader with over two decades of experience driving equity across healthcare systems, Dr. Steed is especially concerned about the strain such outbreaks place on already overburdened health services.

Rebuilding Vaccine Confidence

One of the key issues Dr. Airica Steed identifies is the growing hesitancy around vaccinations—something she believes must be addressed with compassion, education, and community engagement rather than judgment.

“People don’t wake up and decide to distrust vaccines. That distrust is cultivated over time—by misinformation, by systemic neglect, and by lack of culturally competent care,” said Dr. Steed. “We need to earn that trust back, not just demand it.”

She advocates for community-based campaigns that meet people where they are: in schools, churches, community centers, and through trusted local leaders. According to Dr. Steed, these touchpoints are essential to rebuilding confidence in the safety and necessity of vaccinations—not just for measles, but for all preventable diseases.

Equity at the Heart of Public Health Response

Dr. Airica Steed also emphasizes the role of equity in responding to outbreaks. She notes that access to vaccines, education, and quality care is not equally distributed across all demographics—especially in immigrant communities, rural areas, and among Indigenous populations in Canada.

“We cannot assume that everyone has the same access to a primary care provider or the same understanding of the immunization schedule,” Dr. Steed stated. “If we don’t tailor our response to address those disparities, we will continue to see preventable outbreaks—and lives lost unnecessarily.”

She urges public health authorities to implement mobile vaccination units, multilingual outreach, and equity audits to identify and fill access gaps. “We need to ensure no community is left behind in this effort,” she added.

Cross-Border Health Risks

As someone who operates with a global health perspective and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Global Development at Harvard University, Dr. Steed also warns of the international implications of outbreaks like this.

“Viruses don’t recognize borders. A local outbreak in Ontario can quickly become a national—or even international—issue if not swiftly contained,” she said. “Global collaboration, data sharing, and coordinated response strategies are more important than ever.”

Dr. Steed believes that stronger surveillance, vaccination record standardization, and cross-provincial cooperation are essential to mitigating the spread across Canada and beyond.

A Call to Action

Dr. Airica Steed concludes her response with a powerful message for leaders, healthcare providers, and the general public: “This is not just a test of our healthcare systems—it’s a test of our collective responsibility. We must act with urgency, empathy, and equity. Lives are at stake.”

From her personal experiences with healthcare injustice to her award-winning track record as a transformative leader, Dr. Steed’s voice adds not only credibility but also moral clarity to the current crisis. Her message is clear: the measles outbreak is a critical moment to restore trust, reinforce science, and prioritize the health of all communities—especially those most vulnerable.