We've always known that the poorest people living in our communities are much more likely to experience health problems when compared to the broad population base.
What may strike some as surprising, even shocking, is the extent of the health gap disparity which apparently exists between the wealthiest and the poorest Saskatoon residents. This morning's Star Phoenix featured a story titled, Rich-poor Health Gap Shocking and gave us a sneak peek at some data which will be published Friday in the Canadian Journal of Public Health. The study's data reveals that people who reside in some of Saskatoon's poorest core neighbourhoods like Pleasant Hill, Riversdale, Westmount, Meadowgreen, King George and the Confederation Suburban Centre have significantly higher health and wellness challenges when compared to the city as a whole, and that the disparity is substantially greater when compared to residents of Saskatoon's wealthiest areas like Erindale, Briarwood, Arbor Creek, Lakeridge, and College Park.
- Suicide attempts are 3.8 times higher in these core neighbourhoods when compared to the city as a whole and 16 times higher when compared to Saskatoon’s most affluent areas.
- Mental disorders are 1.9 times higher in these core neighbourhoods when compared to the city as a whole and 35 times higher when compared to Saskatoon’s most affluent areas.
- Hepatitis C rates are 8 times higher in these core neighbourhoods when compared to the city as a whole and 16 times higher when compared to Saskatoon’s most affluent areas.
- Chlamydia rates are 4.3 times higher in these core neighbourhoods when compared to the city as a whole and 14.9 times higher when compared to Saskatoon’s most affluent areas.
- Diabetes rates are 4 times higher in these core neighbourhoods when compared to the city as a whole and 12.9 times higher when compared to Saskatoon’s most affluent areas.
Read the full Star Phoenix story for reactions from the health community.
Norm Fisher
Royal LePage Vidorra
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