BACKGROUNDER: Social Inequities Affect Health of Northerners

• The “social determinants of health” refers to the basic financial resources and supportive environments necessary for a healthy life.  Access to income, employment, affordable housing, healthy food, education, early childhood development, and health care influence physical and mental health as well as life expectancy.
   
• People from lower socio-economic groups tend to be more exposed to health hazards in the physical environment (unsafe neighbourhoods and working conditions) experience more psychosocial stress and suffer more material deprivation (poor nutrition, inadequate housing).
   
• 36.7% of residents in the Northern Health region have an income dependency on forestry, mining and fishing – the highest of any region in BC. Heavy dependency on the primary sector increases the vulnerability of a region to swings in the economic cycle resulting in economic hardship.^A
   
• 5.4% of those between the ages of 19-64 in the Northern Health region are beneficiaries of employment insurance (EI) – the highest of any region in BC and more than double the provincial average of 2.5%. ^A
   
• 12.9% of the population in the Northern Health region lives with a household income of under $20,000, making it difficult to meet the basic needs necessary for good health.^A
   
• Single parent families account for 26.3% of the Northern Health region.^A  The highest proportion of children living in poverty are in families led by single mothers.
   
• High school graduation and post-secondary education completion is lower in the Northern Health region than the provincial average ^A – which can affect income security and other social conditions which impact health and wellness.
   
• The Northern Health region has a high rate of teen pregnancies – an average of 26.8 per 1,000 women aged 15-17 compared to the B.C. average of 16.2 (in 2004-2006).^A
   
• Diabetes: BC men from the lowest income group are almost five times more likely to develop diabetes than highest income groups - for women it’s double.
   
• Heart Disease: BC women from the lowest income group are three times as likely to suffer heart disease as women from the highest income group - for men it’s double¹.
   
• Hospitalization: Lower income British Columbians are more than twice as likely as higher income citizens to be overnight hospital patients¹.
   
•  Social and economic factors are estimated to account for 50% of the impact on health outcomes, whereas biology and genetics are estimated at 15% according to a 2001 Report from the Senate.
   
• The research indicates that improving access to income, affordable housing, healthy food, education, early childhood development, and recreational opportunities improves physical and mental health as well as life expectancy.
   
• Poverty can lead to poor nutrition, poor parental health and parental depression which has a negative affect on the development of children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
   
• According to BCHLA’s public opinion research 79% of British Columbians support: A provincial action plan with targets and timelines to improve the health of disadvantaged citizens.

Contact:
Rita Koutsodimos
Manager, Advocacy and Communications
Tel: 604-629-1630  Mobile: 604-989-4546
rkoutsodimos (at) bchealthyliving (dot) ca
 

^A BC Stats, Statistical Profile, Health Authority 5 – Northern (2007)
¹ Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology, The Health of Canadians - The Federal Role, Volume One: The Story so Far, March 2001.