The Ontario government announced today that it would provide transitional funding of $42 million in 2013-14 for municipalities to develop and implement their consolidated housing and homelessness plans, which will set out how each muncipality addresses their local housing needs. The Wellesley Institute and community groups from across the province have been calling on the government to […]
Archives for December 2012
An Annotated Christmas Carol for 2012
Charles Dickens, in his famous novel Christmas Carol, writes of a visit by two charity-minded men to the office of Ebenezer Scrooge. The words of Dickens follow, with notes from Toronto, Ontario and Canada in 2012 in italics. *** “At this festive season of the year, Mr. Scrooge,” said the gentleman, taking up a pen, […]
Tracing connections: better tools for better population health
It’s common knowledge that social conditions matter when it comes to the health of individuals, communities, and society at large. These conditions are known to underlie health inequalities and inequities. Traditional analytical tools have helped shape how we study and understand pathways to poor health, however, many remain inadequate in providing a big picture view […]
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Modelling the social determinants of health and simulating short-term and long-term intervention impacts for the city of Toronto, Canada
There is a substantial body of evidence highlighting the importance of the social determinants of health in shaping the health of urban populations in Canada. The low socio-economic status of marginalized, disadvantaged, and precarious populations in urban settings has been linked to adverse health outcomes including chronic and infectious disease, negative health behaviours, barriers to […]
Building Inclusive Cities
Carolyn Whitzman joined us for a talk about various aspects of Building Inclusive Cities. You can see her complete set of slides on inclusive cities here. Building Inclusive Cities with Carolyn Whitzman from Wellesley Institute Building Inclusive Cities
Counting down to the end of the Community Start-Up and Maintenance Benefit: there’s still time for Ontario to avoid a crisis
We’re now less than two weeks away from the Government of Ontario terminating the Community Start-Up and Maintenance Benefit (CSUMB) and an impending and avoidable housing and homelessness crisis. The CSUMB helps people receiving social assistance to pay for large or unexpected housing-related costs, supporting them to become and remain housed. As of January 1st, this […]
Health system transformation must focus on health equity
By Adrianna Tetley, Executive Director, Association of Ontario Health Centres Premier Dalton McGuinty’s departure as premier will most certainly bring change to Ontario. But one thing we hope doesn’t change is the provincial government’s commitment to transform our fragmented healthcare system. What’s required is revolutionary change – delivered in an evolutionary way. And one of the most […]
Continue ReadingHealth system transformation must focus on health equity
Person-Centred Care, Equity And Other Building Blocks For Excellent Care For All
Integrating Equity into Person-Centred Care: Central LHIN Planning Forum LHINs are developing their new Integrated Health Service Plans, strategic plans for the next three years. Many have consulted widely with their healthcare service provider and community partners. Central LHIN pulled together a diverse forum of providers and patient representatives to help identify key issues and […]
Continue ReadingPerson-Centred Care, Equity And Other Building Blocks For Excellent Care For All
New Federal Changes to Refugee Health Care Make a Bad Situation Far Worse
The federal government today released its list of Designated Countries of Origin The dangerous health impact will be that refugee claimants from these countries considered ‘safe’ will be denied almost all healthcare. This will make a harshly inequitable health situation even worse. This list policy is fundamentally flawed and dishonest. The evidence is enormous and […]
Continue ReadingNew Federal Changes to Refugee Health Care Make a Bad Situation Far Worse
Facing up to racism and stereotyping in health care for Aboriginal Canadians: Colour coded health care
By Steve Barnes and Jo Snyder It is well established that a variety of social and economic factors influence our health, things like our income, education, employment status, and even our neighbourhood. And it is also well established that some populations face greater barriers to good health, populations like recent immigrants, women, and racialized Canadians. […]