[Canada] Report examines the poor health of those living in poverty

from The Ottawa Sun

By JORGE BARRERA, Ottawa Sun

Everyone knows the poor are sicker than the rich, but governments at all levels continue to act like there is no connection between health and poverty, says a new report by the Canadian Association of Social Workers.

The report, released today, paints a gloomy picture of the health of people living in poverty. The report says that a poor woman has a 73% chance of reaching the age of 75, while a rich woman has an 80% chance.

“It is impossible to say we want to promote health and well-being by separating health, social services, child care and working conditions,” said Ginette Clarke, a social worker with the association. “We won’t help their health by focusing on an individualistic approach.”

Clarke said much of the report’s findings are common knowledge, but it was important press on so something actually changes.

“The necessity of it being repeated is obvious that nothing has really changed,” said Clarke. “Changes are not being made and they are not approaching health from a broader understanding.”

The report, which based many of its findings on other surveys and reports, said that poorer Canadians die an average of one to two years earlier than richer Canadians.