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As Bob Gardner explains in his recent article, Thinking Globally, Acting Locally about Health Reform (in a special edition of Making Waves), it is by understanding and focussing on health disparities on a regional basis, in particular within the structures of Regional Health Authorities, that on-the-ground strategies to reduce health disparities can be developed and implemented. Ontario is in a position to do this now, with the recent establishment of the Local Health Integration Networks. As Bob notes, there have been some interesting and effective examples of initiatives undertaken in other jurisdictions in Canada and internationally where there is a demonstrated commitment to health equity. Bob also points out that a great deal can be learned by sharing promising practices .

If "what is to be done" about health disparities is a question that plagues you, read Bob Gardner's article. We can make a difference by thinking globally and acting locally about health reform.

As anyone who has worked in the non-profit sector knows, already over-stretched agencies are subject to complex reporting and grant application processes to multiple funders.

But what exactly is the impact of these funding regimes on agency operations and potential?

The Wellesley recognized that solid baseline research was needed to begin to address the issue and commissioned non-profit funding and organizational expert Lynn Eakin to look at this question.

Her research found that extensive reporting and application requirements place a severe strain on providers’ administrative capacities; take resources and time away from service delivery and innovation; she also found that these could be streamlined in ways that meet the needs of both service providers and funders.

Please join the Wellesley Institute at the launch of We Can’t Afford to do Business This Way in Toronto, on September 27th from 9:30am-12pm at the Thomas Lounge in Oakham House at the Ryerson Campus (63 Gould St.).

A new report from the Canadian Council on Learning suggests that Canada's low and stagnant rates of literacy are affecting Canadians in a number of ways, from exposing seniors to dangers because they can't understand medical advice or safety instructions, to limiting the career mobility of employees because they do not receive workplace training, to holding back the growth of the country's economy.

Last week the Canadian Council on Social Development released its Community Profiles Report, the first product of its Urban Poverty Project. If anyone had any lingering doubts about the extent of urban poverty, the statistics provided here will dispel these: almost 70% of all poor people " almost 3.3 million " lived in Canada's largest urban areas in 2000. This report presents national and provincial data about population, households, and employment.