Addressing Socioeconomic status as a Social Determinant of Health in Newfoundland and Labrador

Health Canada lists 12 determinants of health that impacts a person's overall health status. The social determinants of health are more specifically related to social and economic factors that help determine a person's health(Health Canada, 2020). The most impactful determinants of health vary depending on your location in Canada. Newfoundland and Labrador has named socioeconomic status to be one of the most significant determinants of health in that province (Department of Health and Community Services, n.d.).

Many studies have recognized that those with a lower socioeconomic status are at higher risk of cancer, heart disease and detrimental behaviours like smoking (Gore, 2012). Newfoundland exemplifies these findings with a higher than Canadian average rate of smoking, alcohol abuse, heart disease and cancer (Canadian Institute for Health Information). In addition the Unemployment rate is higher in Newfoundland, 13.1% as compared to the Canadian Average of 6.9% (Stats Canada).

To address the behaviours and consequences associated with low socioeconomic status the Newfoundland government collaborated with various stakeholders to produce a framework to help promote a healthier population. The primary goal was to "engage individuals, families, and communities sharing responsibility for health promotion and illness and injury prevention, early intervention, and self-management". Education on nutrition, smoking and activity is needed to help prevent many of the co-morbidities common in Newfoundland that are burdening its health care system. Financial aid is often also needed to encourage people to make smart nutrition choices or help support a smoking cessation campaign.

Eastern Health acknowledges inequalities in the population, for example, with respect to smoking. At risk populations identified are youth, aboriginal people, pregnant women, those with low income, people living with chronic disease and mental illness, these are priority populations for health promotion and smoking cessation strategies. The Newfoundland and Labrador Alliance for the Control of Tobacco (2021) acknowledges a strategy dependent on partnership with communities and government that address the effect determinants of health have on vulnerable populations. To allow access to smoking cessation among these vulnerable populations the government has incentivized a program that will pay for the cost of smoking cessation aids if needed. The NL Smokers helpline is also free and easy to access for anyone who requires help in quitting smoking. In this way government is hoping to address some of the problems to access that may exist when there is socioeconomic disparity.

Alliance for the Control of Tobacco (2021). Tobacco and Vaping Reduction Strategy for Newfoundland and Labrador: A plan for Tobacco and Vaping Reduction for al partners working towards health, wellness equality.

Canadian Institute for Health Information. (n.d.) An In-Depth Look at the Newfoundland and Labrador HealthCare system. Retrieved from https://www.cihi.ca/en/an-in-depth-look-at-the-newfoundland-and-labrador-health-care-system.

Department of Health and community Services. (n.d.) Healthy People, Healthy Families, Healthy communities: A Primary Healthcare framework for Newfoundland and Labrador 2015-2025. https://www.gov.nl.ca/hcs/files/publications-phc-framework.pdf

Gore, D., Kothari, A. (2012, August 14). Social determinants of health in Canada: Are healthy living initiatives there yet? A policy analysis. Int J Equity Health 11(41). https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-9276-11-41

Health Canada. (2020, October 7). Social Determinants of Health and Health Inequalities. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/health-promotion/population-health/what-determines-health.html.

Statistics Canada (2021, October 8). Labour Force Characteristics by Province, Monthly, Seasonally adjusted. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=1410028703