Centre for Health Promotion Research (CHPR)

Although the poorest group of Canadians are enjoying a minimally higher level of income, the income gap between the rich and the poor in Canada got wider. That was what the Conference Board of Canada concluded in its analysis of income inequity in a report titled How Canada Performs that was released on July 13, 2011.

Income gaps are associated with inequalities in health. Overall, the rich are healthier, while the poor are the least healthy. A widening income gap forecasts a potential widening of health inequalities. This poses a warning for public health to prepare for increasing inequalities.

First, public health can find what is working to reduce health inequities, and step it up.

Second, public health can try and find new ways to effectively reduce health inequities.

It is likely that what works will address multiple determinants of health, and will be done through multi-sectoral partnerships.

Lastly, and this is not specific to public health, I think our society needs to move away from viewing personal wealth as a main indicator of success in life. Many people feel ashamed about being poorer than other people, and this leads to a chain of events that eventually leads to poorer health. Personal wealth is only a means to a good life, and it is not the only means.

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