April 20, 2015

 

A new report, The Unequal City 2015: Income and Health Inequities in Toronto, released today shows that significant differences in health status continue to exist between people because of their income. It is the first report to show how the relationship between health and income has changed in Toronto over time.

 

“The Unequal City report explores the relationship between income and health inequities and shows that people with low income experience higher rates of illness and disease, and die at an earlier age than people with higher income,” said Dr. David McKeown, Toronto's Medical Officer of Health. “The report builds on what we know and provides evidence that most income-related differences in health have not improved." 

 

When compared to the highest income group:

?  Men in the lowest income group are 50 per cent more likely to die before age 75. The relationship between income and premature mortality has not changed over time and inequities have persisted.

?  Women in the lowest income group are 85 per cent more likely to have diabetes. The relationship between income and diabetes was significantly stronger in 2012 than it had been in 2003.

?  Young women aged 15 to 24 in the lowest income group are twice as likely to be reported with chlamydia infection. The relationship between income and chlamydia incidence has not changed over time and inequities have persisted.

?  Babies in the lowest income group are 40 per cent more likely to be born with a low birth weight. The relationship between income and the rate of low birth weight births has not changed over time and inequities have persisted.

 

“These differences are not acceptable – they affect everyone regardless of income," said Dr. McKeown. "More effort, resources and support is needed across many sectors to address the root causes of these critical health inequities in Toronto.”

 

The 2015 report updates and builds on the findings of The Unequal City: Income and Health Inequities in Toronto, 2008. The new report will be before Toronto's Board of Health at its April 27 meeting. More information is available at http://bit.ly/1QabJpM.

 

This news release is also available on the City's website: http://bit.ly/1zCtROu

 

Toronto is Canada's largest city, the fourth largest in North America, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. It is a global centre for business, finance, arts and culture and is consistently ranked one of the world's most livable cities. Toronto is proud to be the Host City for the 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can visit http://www.toronto.ca, call 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or follow us @TorontoComms.

 

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Media contact: Lenore Bromley, Toronto Public Health, 416-338-7974, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.