Social Inequalities, Social Capital, and the Health of Canadians

This is a review of the article "Social Inequalities, Social Capital, and the Health of Canadians" by M. Reza Nakhaie, Lisa K. Smylie, and Robert Arnold from the periodical Review of Radical Political Economics (2007; 39:562).

The main point that emerges from this report is that Canada needs to direct health care policies toward 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 implemented or discovered through social networks.

The authors look at access to services and products that contribute to health citizens. Social inequality leads to a lack of access to valued goods and services, which create a better quality of life and reduce stress. Further, inequality leads to a lack of access to affordable and adequate housing, safe neighbourhood conditions, medical care through supplementary medical insurance, and transportation. All these factors impact on our health care system.
Those who are at the bottom of the stratification system do not lack in networks or other social relations. Their main deficiencies come from a lack of economic resources that ensure sufficient food, comfortable living conditions, and access to health care. In other words, before looking at training and social networks, people need the basic essentials. Without these basic essentials, the strain on our health care system will be extreme.

This study shows that "close to a quarter of Canadians may well have difficulty obtaining a nutritious diet; warm, dry and safe housing; and appropriate health care." The report argues that poverty contributes to a lack of trust and cohesiveness in society, which in turn increases the risk of chronic diseases, stress, and low self-rated health. The authors state "our data?seem to suggest that a major task for government must be to reduce poverty and to establish a basic standard of living for all." What could be clearer than that?

Wendy Knowlton
Editor/Publisher