Better health depends on ending child and youth poverty: paediatricians
"As Canadians, we insist on our right to universal health care, yet we do not recognize the right of children and youth to grow up with adequate resources," said paediatrician
The CPS advocacy report, released today, highlights a number of areas where federal, provincial and territorial governments are failing to use their legislative and policy powers to protect young people in
"Poverty creates a cycle of obstacles that children and youth must overcome, including poor health," said CPS
Children from low socioeconomic groups suffer higher infant mortality rates and have shorter life expectancies than their peers. Aboriginal, disabled and immigrant children and youth are especially at risk. In 2007, one in four Aboriginal children and youth in
Poverty affects all health measures
Poverty has implications for all the health measures tracked in the CPS report, including injuries, immunization, smoking, mental health, access to health services and child care.
Research has identified gaps in income and socioeconomic status as the prime cause of health disparities among children and youth in
Good health requires adequate resources
The CPS believes child and youth poverty rates should carry the same political importance as rates of interest, inflation and employment, and wait times for adult health care. The report states that addressing child poverty makes economic sense, noting that the poorest quarter of residents uses twice the health care services as those in the wealthiest quarter.
Since an all-party resolution in 1989 to end child poverty by the year 2000, rates have barely budged. Twenty years ago, 11.9% of children in
British Columbia and Manitoba have the highest child poverty rates in
Rights of children and youth
Almost 20 years ago,
"If we are serious about caring for the young in our society, all policies and programs that affect children and youth should automatically be reviewed by an independent body designed to stand for their rights," said
The Canadian Paediatric Society is a national professional association, representing more than 2,700 paediatricians and other health professionals, which advocates for the health needs of children and youth.
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Campaign 2000. 2008 Report Card on Child and Family Poverty in
Campaign 2000. 2009 Report Card on Child and Family Poverty in
Health Officers Council of BC, Health Inequities in British Columbia: Discussion Paper,
Campaign 2000. 2009 Report Card on Child and Family Poverty in
For further information: For media inquiries: Emma Wadland, Communications Coordinator, Canadian Paediatric Society, (613) 526-9397, ext. 247, [email protected]
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