Canada is a healthy nation.
But not everyone enjoys all the
benefits of good health.
These health differences are 
mostly explained by conditions
in which we are born, live, play
and work. Also known as the
social determinants of health,
they include things like our
income, housing, education 
or job opportunities.
Discrimination can make being
healthy even more challenging.
When some groups face barriers
within these determinants more
than other groups, this is 
unfair and we refer to these
as inequities.
Some inequities may begin in
the womb and continue
throughout childhood
and beyond.
Canadian children living in
communities with lower levels
of education, employment and
income have lower chances of
reaching their full
developmental potential.
Inequities continue into 
adulthood.
For example, Canadians with
lower levels of education,
employment, or income are
more likely to have diabetes and
poor mental health.
Ultimately, people with lower 
levels of education or income 
live shorter lives on average.
Other social determinants also
affect our health and wellbeing
such as food and housing.
Certain Canadians experience
food insecurity more than
others. That means they are
unable to afford the quantity
and quality of food they need
for good health:
First Nations on reserve, First
Nations off reserve, Inuit and
Métis people experience higher
food insecurity than
non-Indigenous people.
Black and Latin American
Canadians experience higher
food insecurity than
White Canadians.
Bisexual people experience
higher food insecurity than
heterosexual people.
There are also inequities in
access to adequate, affordable
and suitable housing.
Recent immigrants are twice as 
likely as non-immigrants to live
in housing that is unaffordable,
too crowded or in need of
major repairs. Inequities 
experienced by First Nations,
Inuit and Métis populations 
are anchored in 
colonial policies and practices 
that included forced 
displacement into reserves and 
remote communities, the 
banning of Indigenous 
languages and cultural practices
and creation of the residential 
school system.
Unaddressed intergenerational 
trauma adds to the ongoing 
challenges faced by 
Indigenous peoples.
How do we address these 
inequities? By ensuring the
conditions that support our 
health, such as good housing, 
income, education, employment, 
social connectedness and 
access to social support, and 
health programs and services,
are equitably available to all 
Canadians. For Indigenous
Peoples, this would include 
addressing the Calls to Action
as outlined in the Truth and 
Reconciliation Report, and 
United Nations Declaration on 
the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Doing this requires a better 
understanding of the current 
state of health inequalities in 
Canada.  This information is now
available in the Key Heath 
Inequalities in Canada report 
and the Health Inequalities 
Data Tool. 
So that together we can create 
opportunities for all Canadians 
to enjoy optimum health 
and wellbeing.
