Social Inequalities, Social Capital, and the Health of Canadians

This is a review article, "Social inequality, social capital, health and Canadians, " M. Reza Nakhaie, Lisa K. Smylie, and Robert Arnold of the magazine Overview of Radical Political Economy (2007, 39:562).

The main point arising from this report is that Canada should direct health policies towards income security, safe housing and adequate nutrition for every citizen. The authors argue, "Social inequality affects health more consistently than social capital. Social capital refers to resources that are being implemented or are discovered through social networks.

The authors look at access to services and products that contribute to the health of citizens. Social inequality leads to a lack of access to the value of goods and services that create a better quality of life and reduce stress. Furthermore, inequality leads to a lack of access to affordable and adequate housing, safe neighborhood conditions, medical care by supplementary health insurance, and transportation. All these factors affect our health care system.

Those who are at the bottom of the stratification is no lack of networks or other social relationships. Their main disadvantages come from the lack of economic resources that provide enough food, comfortable living conditions, and availability of health care. In other words, before we look at training and social networks, people need the basics. Without these basic, the pressure on our health care system will be extreme.

This study shows that "good close-quarters of Canadians have difficulty obtaining a nutritious diet, a warm, dry and safe housing;. and adequate health care", the report argues that poverty contributes to a lack of trust and cohesion in society, which in turn increases the risk of chronic illness, stress, and low self-rated health. The authors claim that "Our data? seems to suggest that the main task for the government must be to reduce poverty and establish a basic standard of living for all." What could be clearer than that?

Wendy Knowlton
Editor / Publisher