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
Pollution continues to pose an enormous threat to residents of urban cities worldwide. In the August 2008 Monthly Update, it is stated that approximately 800,000 deaths each year can be attributed to outdoor air pollution, making pollution the single most harmful environmental hazard to human health in urban areas (Kallman). The fact that pollution kills hundreds of thousands of people each year alone portrays just how dangerous living in these conditions can be. Kallman writes about a study which proves an increase in upper respiratory diseases, cardiovascular mortality, respiratory mortality, and low birth weights when exposed to air pollutants (August 2008: Monthly Update). These can be very serious diseases and complications which, when contracted, can lead to death or very serious illnesses. There
Another environmental factor has to do with socioeconomic status. Air pollution and toxic chemicals can significantly affect a population’s health. People with lower incomes are more often exposed to these contaminants than those with higher income levels. A recent example of this is the Exide battery recycling plant in Vernon, CA. High levels of lead were found in soil samples collected from properties in the low income neighborhoods of Vernon, Bell, Boyle Heights, Commerce, East Los Angeles, Huntington Park, and Maywood. Exide agreed to close the plant to avoid federal criminal charges, but the contamination largely remains.
Next, the political sociology approach focuses to centre on groups and societal forces ((Blidook, Cochrane, Dyck, 2017). There are many social cleavages such as regions, economic classes, and ethnic groups that cause differing opinions. Alberta works with Kinder Morgan to benefit their economy however the province does not cater towards the needs of British Columbia. Kinder Morgan does not consider the impact to the First Nations, as they are an ethnic group who value nature. Similarly, the Canadian government does not consider the different economic classes that will be affected by the pipeline, if an oil spill/leak were to occur. Plus, with the expansion of the pipelines there will be no affordable housing, there will be alcohol and drug
According to Chapter 1 of the book "Poverty In Canada", poverty refers to conditions where people lack resources to attain proper diet, participate in community activities, and the living conditions in the society they live in. Poverty can be absolute where people do not have enough resources to survive, or relative where people are not able to participate in common daily activities. The groups who are most likely to experience poverty in Canada are Aboriginal Canadians, women, unattached adults, people of color, persons with disabilities, and recent immigrants to Canada. The reason many of these groups live in poverty is because they work low-wage occupations. For groups such as, people with disabilities, people receiving social assistance,
These were five women who acted as activist and was award and recognize in Canada for making Canada a better place to live. The five incidents that involved gender inequality against women. .Constance Backhouse exposed inequalities, for women and other oppressed groups in Canada. Then, Nahanni Fontaine is a special advisor on aboriginal women's Issues for the Aboriginal Issues. Susan Kathryn Shiner highlighting women's inequality as a root cause of violence against women as an issue, as she became aware of incidents of inequality she worked for social change. Last but no leased Julie Lalonde who studied the impact of poverty and isolation on elderly women making a difference in improving the lives of women and girls to end sexual assault and
For decades American society has recognized that industries within our country consistently pump toxins into our air and water, which are hazardous to the environment and all the residents of the area. As for a lesser known fact, the impacts of industry have often been unevenly distributed amongst social groups: Otherwise known as environmental inequality. Current theories on environmental inequality have commonly concluded that the phenomenon has two major factors, race and class. The effects of environmental inequality vary across time place and population. Based on my research, mapping, and statistics I was unable to attribute this issue to a dominant factor. Like many cities
Does Racial Inequality Exist in Canada? Racial inequality is commonly associated with America, as Canada is perceived to be a more multicultural nation, and because there are more cultures Canada is perceived to be more tolerant towards racial and ethnic differences. However, this does not mean that Canada doesn’t have racial inequality. The racial inequality that takes place in Canada is more hidden, to preserve the view that Canada is tolerant towards racial differences.
The original intentions for the residential schools were to “remove and isolate children from the influence of their homes, families, traditions and cultures, and to assimilate them into the dominant culture.” These two objectives make it clear that in the past we viewed the Aboriginals as unequals, we treated them as if we were superior, trying to rid them of their culture and spiritual beliefs. The motives of assimilation were wrong and have no place in Canadian identity.
The time in present is totally different from than in the past. The social structure has been changed to pursue the same equality between races, culture and religions. Furthermore, the modern society is being composed by a variety of social groups which called the multicultural organization. However, the thought above is pretty incredible because the client believes that only white privilege is still prevailed in the world and Christianity have to be accepted in Canada. It is a quite serious idea that is established on by a severe prejudice toward different racial and religious. What is more, Canada is known as the most equitable country in where lives together with various ethnical groups; yet, the client statement showed that in Canada still
Most of us Canadians like to think of ourselves as a better version of our American neighbours.Whether it be health care or ethics in politics .However,with the new trend and of course a Harper government .We are mimicking our American cousins.This essay will highlight the problem of inequality and its ability to change the governance of our country.Through facts and statistics,this essay will argue that income inequality is a serious problem.However,Canada does have other issues such as inequality faced by women and aboriginal people.Income inequality seems to the root cause of other issues.The essay will first prove the existence of a growing inequality in Canada.The basis of the argument will lie in the drastic changes that
In the 1950’s and 1960’s, lead poisoning was found to be prevalent in the slums of the inner cities. These areas were referred to as the "lead belt" because these run down houses were havens for lead exposure. The flaking paint on walls, the chipping plaster ceilings, and the old furniture exposed these children to a real hazard. Pica was an important contributing factor and children, ages 1 to 3 were at the greatest risk. Siblings in these situations were often affected and recurrence was common because the lead paint was not removed. The prognosis for these children became worse with each recurrence (Chisholm, 1982).
2000; this was again renewed and prolonged in the year 2009.It was then suggested that all the federal executives, the aboriginal leaders, the civil society and the business experts to prioritize poverty eradication and make it the national priority and start to apply the plan.
Hazards and pollutants are apparent in a variety of outcomes. Possible outcomes include asthma, cancer and chemical poisoning (Gee and Payne-Sturges 2004: 1647). Furthermore, “Although debated, the main hypothesis explaining these disparities is that disadvantaged communities encounter greater exposure to environmental toxins such as air pollution, pesticides, and lead” (Gee and Payne-Sturges 2004: 1647). Therefore, disadvantaged groups, such as people of color and the poor, experience greater environmental risks. Additionally, “Blacks in particular are exposed to a disproportionate amount of pollution and suffer the highest levels of lead and pesticide poisoning and other associated health problems” (Jones and Rainey 2006: 474). People of color, essentially, compete to live healthily. For example, African-Americans and Africans alike, struggle with the negative affects of oil refineries and unresponsive governments. The same can be said for Hispanics in California and the natives of Ecuador, who are forced to cope with the pollution of the Texaco oil refineries (Bullard 2001: 4). Environmental racism not only exploits natural resources, it abuses and profits from the communities involved. Governments and polluting facilities will continue to capitalize on the economic susceptibilities of poor communities, states, nations and regions for their “unsound” and hazardous operations (Bullard 2001: 23).
In the united states, Lead poisoning seems to be one of the most common and preventable environmental problem in children. When compared to the US borne children, Prevelance of this poisoing is 1.6%high in refugee kids.(2)
To a great degree the eminent problem is the air pollution we breathe. Who can help amend the air we breathe. In order to improve the quality of the air, people have to be aware of the specific mode of pollution and the effect of it. The traffic-pollution causes affliction and distress to individuals. The reason for this tragedy is due in part by every one of us. High concentration of vehicle exhausts is the main source of air pollution in urban areas. Neighborhoods in proximity to heavy traffic areas can negatively impact a community’s health conditions and outcomes. Those people that are disproportionately exposed to great levels of exhaust fumes are those who have a low socioeconomic and educational status and are part of race/ethnicity