Wellesley Institute

Wellesley Institute works in research and policy to improve health and health equity in the GTA through action on the social determinants of health.

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Bob Gardner

Health Disparities & Neighbourhoods

The Canadian Institute for Health Information released a major research report documenting health disparities by urban neighbourhood which:

  • documents pervasive health differences between affluent and poor neighbourhoods;
  • reviews consistent research findings on the adverse health impact of poor housing, environment, lack of access to heath and social; services, adequate food, transportation and recreational facilities;
  • highlights solid research support for public policy that secures affordable housing and other public infrastructure to support better quality of life.

The irony, of course, is that this report was released just before the federal government set out a fiscal policy course that emphasizes tax cuts and debt reduction. The effect of this direction will be to starve exactly the kinds of public investment that the research shows has such a crucial impact on health and health inequities.

We have recently put together an issue page on this subject that provides our own research and outside resources.

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Bob Gardner

Bob Gardner

Bob Gardner was the Director of Policy at Wellesley Institute, 2006-2014. His expertise was in health equity policy working with governments, LHINs, service provider networks, and community partners to develop effective strategies and action plans to enhance health equity. He served on many health policy advisory forums, working groups and boards. Bob has a Ph.D. in sociology; has been an academic, public sector executive and consultant; and has been a community activist on HIV/AIDS, reproductive health, and other issues

Acknowledgement of Traditional Land

We wish to acknowledge this land on which the Wellesley Institute operates. For thousands of years, it has been the traditional land of the Huron-Wendat, the Seneca, and the Mississaugas of the Credit. Today, this meeting place is still the home to many Indigenous people from across Turtle Island and we are grateful to have the opportunity to work on this land.

Revised by the Ceremonial Committee at the University of Toronto Office of Indigenous Initiatives in April 2021.