Health

I've finally completed the task of condensing two 20-page health needs assessment reports to a succint 4-page fact sheet!  Wow, who knew how much information we'd be able to gather through the paper survey we circulated this summer.  It was quite a task to narrow it down, but hopefully this condensed version will be helpful in informing or supporting initiatives to improve health and access for homeless and at-risk people in York Region.

The York Region Alliance to End Homelessness has recently released a research report titled Homelessness and Health:  Social Determinants of Health in York Region.  This report, completed based on funding through the Homelessness Partnership Initiative, documents the influence of social determinants of health, such as income, housing, heal

Anecdotally, we know that individuals who are homeless and at risk of homelessness in York Region face significant challenges to their health in terms of having basic needs met and being able to access health care resources.  Studies documenting the specific health-related challenges of these members of our communities are extremely limited.  With funding provided through the federal Homelessness Partnership Initiative, the York Region Alliance to End Homelessness has rec

Good news or bad news first?  This is probably one of my least favourite questions...but it seems appropriate today since I have a couple of extremely good news items, but also a not-so-good update today.

I spent the first three days this week at the Ontario Public Health Association 2009 Annual Conference and wow, am I glad that I went.  I was especially happy to see that the OPHA and public health in general is shifting to place a greater emphasis on health equity.  The conference, which had a theme of Building for the Future, was filled with presentations and discussions about plans to address social determinants of health to improve health outcomes among marginalized individuals. 

Health equity and social determinants of health provide a useful lens for our work.