BACKGROUNDER: Vancouver Island - Social Inequities Affect Health

  • 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 Senate1. 
  • 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 double2.
  • 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 double2.
  • Hospitalization: Lower income British Columbians are more than twice as likely as higher income citizens to be overnight hospital patients2.
  • Readiness for Kindergarten is a key predictor for future health. On Vancouver Island, there is a wide disparity among school districts.  For example, in Campbell River 81.75% of children started school ‘ready to learn’ and 92.4% were physically healthy whereas in Vancouver Island West 59.3% were ‘ready to learn’ and 78% were physically healthy3.
  • In the Nanaimo-Ladysmith School District, it is estimated that 25% of the district's secondary students attend school only part time as they are expected to help bring money into the household and 30% are living in poverty conditions.
  • There are disparities in educational achievement on Vancouver Island. In the south, 87% of adults have completed high school and 62% are post-secondary graduates; in the central region 81% are high school graduates and 54% are post-secondary graduates; in the north of the island these numbers
  • Income security is a determinant of health. In times of recession, persons at the lower end of the socio-economic spectrum and young people are more likely to be negatively impacted - there are increased prevalence of mental health problems, particularly anxiety and depression.
  • 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).
  • 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.
  • 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.

 

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 1Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology, The Health of Canadians - The Federal Role, Volume One: The Story so Far, March 2001.

2 Statistics Canada, Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) Cycle 3.1 (2005).
3 BC Atlas of Wellness, Department of Geography University of Victoria, http://www.geog.uvic.ca/wellness

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