Policy

Transportation has a direct impact on one’s ability to access health promoting services including essential amenities such as grocery stores, schools, recreation facilities, health care and employment. Public transportation is a basic amenity that provides multiple benefits for all but is particularly necessary for those who don’t own or aren’t able to drive their own…

It is clear that a child’s early experiences and development establish a foundation that will impact school readiness, educational achievement and high school completion which ultimately contribute to employment, income security and health. Early Childhood Development and Care is an excellent investment for government. Evidence shows early childhood development and early education “can play a…

Disadvantaged British Columbians have increased susceptibility to a broad range of chronic conditions and are more likely to be living with chronic illness. For example, the rate of diabetes among those with low incomes is double those with high incomes and for heart disease it is almost double. [i], [ii], [iii] The evidence confirms that…

Housing is one of the most basic requirements for health. When people spend excessive amounts of income on housing, fewer resources are available for other health essentials. Studies suggest affordable housing improves health outcomes by freeing up resources for nutritious food and other essentials, reducing stress and providing the stability for patients with chronic diseases…

Affordable, healthy, local and culturally acceptable food makes a difference to our individual health, the resilience of our community and the integrity of our environment. Evidence shows vegetables and fruit have a protective effect against the development of chronic disease and that even a one-serving-per-day increase is linked to a 20% reduction in all causes…

The social determinants of health include the basic financial resources and supportive environments necessary for a healthy life. Access to income, affordable housing, healthy food, education, early childhood development, and recreational opportunities influence our ability to make healthy choices and ultimately the state of our physical and mental health as well as life expectancy. Health…

Sufficient income allows access to adequate housing, nutritious foods, safe communities and participation in recreational, educational and cultural opportunities as well as other essentials for a healthy life. Inadequate income limits the security of these basic living conditions for individuals and families and that can create tremendous stress which also contributes to ill health. It…

In BCAHL’s latest report, ‘Healthy Living in BC – The Next Generation’, a number of health promotion measures to address the underlying risk factors of chronic disease have been highlighted as priorities for the year ahead. Many of the recommendations have been drawn from BCAHL’s earlier papers and submissions which provide a more comprehensive list…