Prevalence, symptom phenotype, and multidomain associated factors of fatigue among Chinese college students: a nationwide cross-sectional study.

Canada’s Black population is a dynamic and expanding demographic, encompassing individuals with ancestral ties to Africa, the Caribbean, and various global regions []. This diversity is reflected in a range of cultural traditions, languages, and migration histories, including the legacy of slavery []. As a result, the Black population in Canada occupies a unique position at the intersection of multiple identities and experiences. The formation of community among Black Canadians often varies, shaped by `factors such as country of origin, tribe, and other shared interests []. Black communities also continue to face systemic inequities and racism, which affect their health outcomes, access to care, and representation in health research []. These systemic inequities substantially exacerbate existing health disparities, underscoring the urgent necessity for precise identification, accurate representation, and culturally informed approaches in research to ensure equitable and effective healthcare. Health research is essential for developing evidence-based policies and interventions. Within Canada, the systematic collection of race-based data is increasingly recognized as essential for developing informed policies aimed at reducing health inequalities and promoting equity []. Nevertheless, a significant challenge remains the inconstant definitions, labels, and classifications for the Black population in Canadian health research []. Such inconsistency carries significant consequences, including misidentification of specific community health needs, incorrect data interpretation, and interventions that fail to address or can even exacerbate existing inequities. The terminology used to describe the Black population in Canada is extensive, and the interchangeable use of terms raises questions about who is truly considered Black []. Some terms include “Black individuals, people, or communities,” “Black Canadians,” “African Canadian Caribbean,” “Black Africans,” “African-Caribbean or African and Caribbean communities,” “Black Nova Scotians,” and “Black ethnicity “ []. Organizations such as the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) and Statistics Canada [] have attempted to establish national standards for collecting race-based data in healthcare. However, these standards are not mandatory, and their implementation varies across Canada. This variability undermines the reliability, consistency, and practical applicability of health data, weakening the foundation upon which targeted interventions and effective policies depend. In addition, existing guidelines often conflate race with ethnicity and country of origin, further complicating clarity and consistency in research methodologies and interpretation. Researchers often develop their own definitions, the basis of which is not always clear. This lack of enforcement and clarity in approaches compromises the reliability of data, thus weakening research that informs critical health policy and intervention efforts.