The office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health for New Brunswick has put out a report on the health inequities that exist in this province, and concludes we can’t let these inequities go unchecked.
The findings shows that poorer households are more likely to report smoking daily and less likely to report eating healthy or exercising. As well, the province’s lowest income households are more likely to report having illnesses like cancer, heart disease and diabetes.
The report shows that the three health regions with the lowest median household income, the regions encompassing Miramichi, Edmundston and Campbellton, also reported the highest level of people being overweight and obese in 2011-2012.
It says says we can’t let these inequities go unchecked because of the burden on the health care system and the threat they pose to our social and economic prosperity. To deal with the issue, she says our health care system, other sectors of government, private and non-profit sectors, and public stakeholders all need to be involved.
To read the report, click here.
