Canada - Children in low-income neighbourhoods suffering
Children in low-income neighbourhoods suffering
A new report by Toronto Health says income is a factor in childhood disorders
Children from low-income families are more likely to suffer from health problems such as asthma, tooth decay and obesity, said a report released by Toronto Health.
“The majority of Toronto’s young children are healthy, safe and developing normally,” said Medical Officer of Health Dr. David McKeown. “However, we have identified significant disparities in young children’s health that are related to neighbourhood and family income, family structure, and country of birth.”
This may come as no surprise given a recent study on diabetes clusters in low-income areas conducted by The Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES). That report, which was released at the beginning of November, identified a high incidence of the disease in some of Toronto’s poorest neighbourhoods.
The new report from Toronto Health highlights the uneven picture of child health and development in Toronto. The report said more than a quarter of the 160,000 children aged one to six who reside in Toronto, live in low-income areas. It said children in those neighbourhoods are more likely to have developmental and behavioural problems, be overweight, have asthma, experience unintentional injuries and be victimized.
The authors found that nearly half the young children in Toronto have never visited the dentist. In addition, it said early childhood tooth decay has increased by nearly two per cent since 1999.
Despite this, Dr. McKeown said there is some good news. The report shows a decrease in smoking within homes where children live.
“We know that childhood asthma attacks can be triggered by second-hand smoke, and we’re pleased that in 2006, 93 per cent of Toronto households with young children reported being smoke-free. This is a significant jump from 74 per cent in 2002,” said Dr. McKeown.
Toronto, Ontario, Canada is fluoridated:NYSCOF
A new report by Toronto Health says income is a factor in childhood disorders
Children from low-income families are more likely to suffer from health problems such as asthma, tooth decay and obesity, said a report released by Toronto Health.
“The majority of Toronto’s young children are healthy, safe and developing normally,” said Medical Officer of Health Dr. David McKeown. “However, we have identified significant disparities in young children’s health that are related to neighbourhood and family income, family structure, and country of birth.”
This may come as no surprise given a recent study on diabetes clusters in low-income areas conducted by The Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES). That report, which was released at the beginning of November, identified a high incidence of the disease in some of Toronto’s poorest neighbourhoods.
The new report from Toronto Health highlights the uneven picture of child health and development in Toronto. The report said more than a quarter of the 160,000 children aged one to six who reside in Toronto, live in low-income areas. It said children in those neighbourhoods are more likely to have developmental and behavioural problems, be overweight, have asthma, experience unintentional injuries and be victimized.
The authors found that nearly half the young children in Toronto have never visited the dentist. In addition, it said early childhood tooth decay has increased by nearly two per cent since 1999.
Despite this, Dr. McKeown said there is some good news. The report shows a decrease in smoking within homes where children live.
“We know that childhood asthma attacks can be triggered by second-hand smoke, and we’re pleased that in 2006, 93 per cent of Toronto households with young children reported being smoke-free. This is a significant jump from 74 per cent in 2002,” said Dr. McKeown.
Toronto, Ontario, Canada is fluoridated:NYSCOF
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