The number of children living in poverty is growing despite an all-party federal promise to eliminate the problem by 2000, the Canadian Institute of Child Health says. And it says the ramifications are enormous: 35% of children in low-income families live in substandard housing, and these children are twice as likely to need remedial education programs and are at greater risk of psychosocial problems, injury and death by fire or homicide.
The CICH‚s recently released report, The Health of Canada‚s Children (third edition), also sounds the alarm over the growing disparity between rich and poor families. In 1981, the richest 10% of families had average incomes of $122 000 a year; by 1996 this had increased to $138 000. Meanwhile, the income for the poorest 10% of families remained the same — $14 000 a year. ”It‚s obscene,” said CICH spokesperson Dr. Graham Chance. ”You cannot possibly support healthy child development on this income.” Indeed, children represent about 27% of Canada‚s population, yet between 31% and 54% of the people who rely on Canada‚s food banks are children. Aboriginal children are the most vulnerable, with half of those under age 15 living in poverty. —
Signature
Barbara Sibbald
CMAJ