Overview

Health-Harming Legal Needs equips primary health care professionals with the tools to recognize and respond to legal issues that are injurious to health, particularly among low-income patients. Co-developed by medical and legal experts, this book advances health equity through the integration of legal support into clinical care. Utilizing a practical, case-based approach, it helps clinicians identify when legal issues such as eviction, denial of social benefits, immigration status, family breakdown, discrimination at work, or criminal legal system involvement may be undermining their patients' health. It also focuses on several patient populations with unique legal needs, including pediatric patients, people living with HIV, Indigenous peoples, and people living with intellectual or developmental disabilities. It demystifies the legal systems that patients interact with and builds clinician confidence in navigating and leveraging community legal support. Central to the book is the introduction of Health and Justice Partnerships, a flexible, collaborative model that brings legal and health professionals together to address the root causes of poor health. By fostering shared understanding and joint dialogue across sectors, the text shows how meaningful legal-health collaboration can enhance patient care, reduce provider burnout, and promote equity and access to justice. Through real-world examples and actionable guidance, the book underscores that legal support can make a decisive difference in moments that feel hopeless for both patients and care teams. It ultimately encourages clinicians to see legal advocacy as part of a holistic approach to care and offers a road map for integrating this perspective into their practice.

Full Product Details

Author:   Rami Shoucri ,  Jennifer Stone
Publisher:   University of Toronto Press
Imprint:   University of Toronto Press
Dimensions:   Width: 15.20cm , Height: 2.50cm , Length: 22.90cm
Weight:   0.001kg
ISBN:  

9781487549732

ISBN 10:   1487549733
Pages:   432
Publication Date:   23 September 2025
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Forthcoming
Availability:   Not yet available, will be POD  
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Table of Contents

List of Illustrations Introduction Rami Shoucri and Jennifer Stone 1. Forming Partnerships and Effectively Collaborating with Legal Professionals in the Care of Patients Rami Shoucri and Jennifer Stone 2. Law 101: An Introduction to the Canadian Legal and Constitutional Framework for Health Care Providers Beth Bilson 3. Health, Law, and Indigenous People Christa Big Canoe and Suzanne Shoush 4. Health and Justice Partnerships for Health and Home Andrew Bond and Benjamin Ries 5. Work and Health Nabila F. Qureshi and Andrew Pinto Indigenous Legal Expert Reflection on Chapter 5 Sara Mainville 6. Income, Social Benefits, and Health Gary Bloch, Anu Bakshi, and Louise Simbandumwe Indigenous Legal Expert Reflection on Chapter 6 Douglas Varrette 7. Immigration Status and Health Michaela Beder, Dilan Brar, Ritika Goel, Vanessa Redditt, Jennifer Stone, Diana Gallego (advisor), and Luis Alberto Mata (advisor) 8. Family Law and Health Anita Volikis, Jamie Ahn, and Kathleen Doukas Indigenous Legal Expert Reflection on Chapter 8 Caitlyn E. Kasper 9. Health, Social, and Structural Determinants of Health in the Context of Traumatic Brain Injury and the Criminal Justice System in Canada Flora I. Matheson, Promise Holmes Skinner, and Christine Carthew 10. Common Legal Issues Affecting People Living with HIV/AIDS Robin Nobleman, Debbie Rachlis, Ryan Peck, Devan Nambiar, and Gordon Arbess 11. Health Justice in Paediatric Practice: Children’s Rights and Social Justice for Patients and Their Families Sarah Gander, Lee Ann Chapman, and Melanie Laking 12. Estate, Financial, and Personal Care Planning for Marginalized and Isolated Populations Naheed Dosani, Edgar-Andre Montigny, and Mercedes Perez Indigenous Legal Expert Reflection on Chapter 12 Kate Forget 13. Health Care Decision-Making with People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in Primary Health Care: Solidarity to Promote Capabilities While Mitigating Vulnerabilities William F. Sullivan, Mercedes Perez, John Heng, and Paula Hutchinson Conclusion Jennifer Stone and Rami Shoucri Appendix 1: Legal Aid and Other Legal Resources in Canada Appendix 2: HELPS Brain Injury Screening Tool Appendix 3: Sample Advocacy Letter Glossary Contributors Index

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Author Information

Rami Shoucri has been a family physician in the St. Michael’s Hospital Academic Family Health Team since 2016 and is an assistant professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto. Jennifer Stone is an adjunct professor in the Faculty of Law at the University of Toronto and executive director of Neighbourhood Legal Services.

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