School of Health Policy and Management, York University
Canadian Review of Social Policy/Revue Canadienne de politique sociale
Spring/Summer 2003, No. 51, p. 9-28
Conces about increasing numbers of Canadians living in
poverty and on low incomes have primarily been raised by
the social development and social welfare sectors. The health-
-related consequences of these increases are profound yet
the public health and health care communities have been
strangely silent conceing these issues. This is surprising as
accumulating evidence indicates that poverty and low income
have significant effects upon the health of populations. The
current policy environment in Canada is one where increases
in numbers of Canadians living in poverty and on low incomes
are not seen by policy makers as particularly problematic. Yet
such increases clearly threaten the health of Canadians and the
sustainability of the Canadian health care system.
Canadian Review of Social Policy/Revue Canadienne de politique sociale
Spring/Summer 2003, No. 51, p. 9-28
Conces about increasing numbers of Canadians living in
poverty and on low incomes have primarily been raised by
the social development and social welfare sectors. The health-
-related consequences of these increases are profound yet
the public health and health care communities have been
strangely silent conceing these issues. This is surprising as
accumulating evidence indicates that poverty and low income
have significant effects upon the health of populations. The
current policy environment in Canada is one where increases
in numbers of Canadians living in poverty and on low incomes
are not seen by policy makers as particularly problematic. Yet
such increases clearly threaten the health of Canadians and the
sustainability of the Canadian health care system.