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Socioeconomic Status In Canada

Decent Essays

Socio-economic status in Canada can play a significant role in health. The socioeconomic health gradient explains the relationship between one’s socioeconomic status and their health, specifically how low socio-economic status can negatively affect one’s health. Contamination exposures can also be reflective of socio-economic status. Individuals of low socio-economic status, usually live in low-income neighbourhoods. These communities tend to have greater exposure to environmental toxins because environmental conditions are often poor. Overcrowding, air quality, work and home environments all contribute to contaminant exposure of low socioeconomic status individuals. This specific portion of the population is exposed to multiple contaminants. Low-income communities face increased exposure to heavy metals, especially lead . Especially those of low SES who are of a minority is more likely to be exposed to lead. Lead exposure in this population is almost double that of more affluent white neighbourhoods. Not only is lead exposure more frequent, the levels of lead seen in children in low-income houses have been known to exceed safe limits. This is often a concern for children as lead exposure can increase the risk for many health complications later in life. Furthermore, nutrition can also play a role in one's exposure to lead. Poor nutrition can be affiliated with higher risks of lead toxicity. Children with poor nutrition, suffer from more side effects and complications of lead exposure. It can then be concluded that impoverished communities face greater risks of lead exposure and toxic lead levels. This correlation illustrates that those of low-income houses are a high-risk population for lead exposure in comparison to communities of higher income levels. Air pollution also contains contaminants that the impoverished individuals have more exposure to versus wealthy populations. The main factor of the increase of exposure for this population is their environments. Many low-income individuals find work in factories, mines, and as laborers. Factory carcinogens and emissions exposure can be linked to low socioeconomic communities. Workplace environments are not always safe, and individuals are exposed to

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