Almost 17,000 of Ontario’s children are in the care of Children’s Aid Societies: one out of every 182 children. Only 44 percent of youth in care graduate from high school. In Ontario, Aboriginal people make up two percent of the population, but 22 percent of Crown Wards. Whichever way you look at it, Ontario’s child […]
The Real Cost Of Cutting Refugee Health Benefits
Recently, Canada’s Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, Jason Kenney, announced changes to the Interim Federal Health Benefit, which provides basic health insurance for refugees. The changes, which come in the context of the government creating categories of preferred and non-preferred refugees, will substantially reduce and in some cases completely eliminate access to health care […]
Continue ReadingThe Real Cost Of Cutting Refugee Health Benefits Download PublicationThe Real Cost Of Cutting Refugee Health Benefits: A Health Equity Impact Assessment
Toronto Board of Health sees the real cost of cutting refugee health benefits
Yesterday afternoon, the Wellesley Institute’s Steve Barnes made a deputation to the Toronto Board of Health about the upcoming changes to the Interim Federal Health Benefit (IFHB). Barnes spoke about the results of our Health Equity Impact Assessment, which found that: Refugees are amongst the most vulnerable people in Canada and are therefore hugely impacted by […]
Continue ReadingToronto Board of Health sees the real cost of cutting refugee health benefits
The real costs of cutting refugee health benefits are coming
Canada is now just a few days away from cutting health benefits for refugees. The cuts will substantially reduce, and in some cases completely eliminate, access to health care for refugees. The opposition to these cuts amongst health providers has been comprehensive. Dozens of leading professional groups have spoken out against these cuts, including the Canadian […]
Continue ReadingThe real costs of cutting refugee health benefits are coming
Refugees are feeling the real cost of cuts to health benefits
Nearly two weeks have passed since the federal government cut health benefits for many refugees, and the real costs are beginning to show. Dr. Anna Banerji, a specialist in children’s infectious diseases at St. Joseph’s and St. Michael’s hospitals, has gone public with a case of a four-and-a-half-year-old refugee girl who almost died of meningitis […]
Continue ReadingRefugees are feeling the real cost of cuts to health benefits
Actions to address the impact of cuts to refugee health benefits
As we have previously blogged, the federal government recently cut health benefits for many refugees. In The Real Cost of Cutting Refugee Health Benefits, the Wellesley Institute argued that these cuts would have an unfair and inequitable impact on some of the most vulnerable people in Canada. It is totally predictable that the costs for […]
Continue ReadingActions to address the impact of cuts to refugee health benefits
Health Equity Impact Assessment as a Policy Tool
The Institut national de santé publique du Québec (INSPQ) and the National Collaborating Centre for Healthy Public Policy publish a Public Policy and Health Newsletter. As with previous issues, the current newsletter provides a great deal of information on health impact assessment, including the just completed international conference on HIA. It also links to a […]
Continue ReadingHealth Equity Impact Assessment as a Policy Tool
Reducing Childhood Obesity In Ontario Through A Health Equity Lens
Childhood obesity is increasing in Ontario and has significant health implications. But not all children are affected equally by the burden of poor health and obesity. This paper sets out strategies to reduce childhood obesity in Ontario and its associated health problems by taking a health equity and social determinants of health approach.
Continue ReadingReducing Childhood Obesity In Ontario Through A Health Equity Lens Download PublicationReducing Childhood Obesity In Ontario Through A Health Equity Lens
Is Halloween candy really what’s scaring you?
This Halloween, Ontario’s doctors are suggesting that we scare kids – and parents – by putting gruesome images on their candy. Similar to anti-smoking campaigns, the hope is that people will avoid unhealthy foods if they can see the diseases it contributes to. We know that diet and nutrition contribute to obesity – that isn’t […]
Continue ReadingIs Halloween candy really what’s scaring you?
Dealing with the impacts of refugee health cuts
The health impacts of the federal government’s decision to cut health benefits to many refugees are becoming increasingly apparent. In our analysis, conducted prior to the cuts being implemented, we found that the changes to the Interim Federal Health Program would result in the severe reduction or elimination of health care services for refugees who […]
Continue ReadingDealing with the impacts of refugee health cuts