The Ontario government launched its public consultation on its proposed Poverty Reduction Strategy with a few bumps this week. Closed-door, invitation-only meetings are not the best way to engage the people of Ontario, including those who have a direct experience of poverty. There is real expertise and a great deal of wisdom from the “ground […]
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Big win at TO Exec Committee on panhandling…
Toronto City Council’s powerful Executive Committee has unanimously adopted a detailed panhandling strategy that bucks the terrible trend throughout North America to criminalize activities associated with homelessness, housing insecurity and poverty. The plan recognizes that there are socio-economic and health issues that drive people to beg for change on the city’s streets and, therefore, the […]
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New income numbers confirm growing income inequality
Canada’s growing income inequality is causing increased housing insecurity and is, in turn, leading to growing health inequities, according to the Wellesley Institute, an independent policy and research institute based in Toronto. One-in-four Canadian households have incomes below the fair housing income, according to a new calculation released today. That number rises to one-in-three households […]
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The Last Straw! A Board Game on the Social Determinants of Health
The Last Straw! A Board Game on the Social Determinants of Health, co-funded by the Wellesley Institute, is a fun way for players to learn how the daily life cycles and social conditions of individuals and communities can affect health and illness – think ‘Monopoly’ with social conscience and analysis. The Last Straw! shows how […]
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Raise your voice in Toronto's housing consultation
The City of Toronto is building a 10-year housing strategy called Housing Opportunities Toronto. The city’s plan was launched one year after the Wellesley Institute released our Blueprint to End Homelessness in Toronto, which includes both the basic 10-year plan plus a much-more-detailed framework document with lots of background material. We’ve prepared a number of backgrounders on […]
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Planning Resources on Community Health and Development
The KU Work Group on Community Health and Development provides a range of useful planning resources on community development as one crucial direction for improving population health and addressing health inequities. Established in 1975, it was designated by the World Health Organization as a WHO Collaborating Centre in 2004 Its core values and assumptions are:
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Happy Earth Day 2008 – some health equity thoughts!
Today is Earth Day 2008 – and a very happy birthday to a much-abused dear old planet Earth! Statistics Canada has released this morning an update to its Human Activity and the Environment series that reports, among other things, that the emission of green house gases are up by 25% from 1990 to 2005. Lots […]
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Addressing Health Disparities through Community Engagement
One precondition for successfully addressing health disparities is to build on local community-based initiatives and on the needs and perspectives of local residents. Incorporating the views, experience and priorities of residents, especially from the most disadvantaged and marginalized communities, into planning and resource allocation processes is vital to regional health planning and delivery that can […]
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Reducing Health Inequities through Better Health Promotion
The Victorian Health Promotion Foundation in the state of Victoria, Australia has recently released an outline on reducing health inequities through better health promotion. People, Places, Processes: Reducing Health Inequalities Through Balanced Health Promotion Approaches provides a a good overview of the health equity lens, and elements of a strategic framework, analytical review and workbook […]
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Faith leaders call for action to reduce poverty, end homelessness
A growing number of faith leaders are joining the call for practical and effective solutions to reduce poverty and end homelessness. In February, national leaders of the Anglican and Lutheran faiths issued a call to action. In March, nineteen synagogues from four Jewish denominations added their voices.
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