News Release: Experts to Create Action Plan Against Social Inequities that Lead to Chronic Disease in BC
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 29, 2008
Vancouver, BC: Low wages, substandard housing, poor diet and lack of education are being increasingly recognized as major contributors to the chronic health conditions suffered by British Columbians, and the BC Healthy Living Alliance (BCHLA) is acting to reverse the trend.
In the wake of recent major studies linking standard of living with poor health, the BC Healthy Living Alliance will host “Healthy Futures for BC Families: a Policy Discussion” on Thursday, October 2nd at the Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue.
The forum will bring together opinion leaders from health, business, Aboriginal, government, academic and social service communities to discuss solutions, resulting in a BCHLA position paper incorporating the contributions of the participating experts.
Research has shown “social determinants” or living conditions have a greater impact on health than most other factors put together, and that one-fifth of our health care costs are attributable to socio-economic inequities. A report released in August by the World Health Organization’s Commission on the Social Determinants of Health urged governments to address social inequities on a worldwide scale to improve population health. The wide-ranging WHO report cites evidence that links “wealth with health” and a decrease in general health for the disadvantaged.
“There is a large gap between healthy British Columbians and those who suffer from ill health. Often this gap is financial,” said Jean Blake, Chair of the BC Healthy Living Alliance. “Better physical health, mental health and life expectancy depend on our ability to afford healthy food and decent housing in walkable neighbourhoods and to give our children better opportunities to develop their minds and bodies in their early years.”
“There’s no doubt disadvantaged British Columbians become ill more often and suffer more complications from such things as heart disease and diabetes. We’re aiming to change that,” added Bobbe Wood, President and CEO, Heart and Stroke Foundation of BC and Yukon and Chair-elect, BCHLA. “Here in BC, Aboriginal people, new immigrants and others with lower incomes are among those most affected. Inadequate income is a major barrier to good health and we hope this policy discussion will come up with concrete solutions.”
The BC Healthy Living Alliance is the largest health promotion team ever assembled in the history of BC. It was formed in 2003, its vision is for a healthy British Columbia and its focus is on the common risk factors and underlying determinants of chronic disease.
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Contact:
Rita Koutsodimos,
Manager, Advocacy and Communications
BC Healthy Living Alliance Secretariat
Tel:
rkoutsodimos (at) bchealthyliving (dot) ca
