Both public education and health care is, in theory, accessible to all Canadians. But we know too well that in practice, inequities exist that sometimes drastically shape a person’s or entire communities’ experiences, and potentially also their outcomes.

Today in The Conversation Canada, we’ve got several stories about how policymakers can draw on research related to health to implement better services and community outreach strategies.

Caroline Reid-Westoby and Magdalena Janus of McMaster University write about their research examining the relationship between neighbourhood-level socio-economic conditions and the health of young children starting in kindergarten in Canada.

“Knowing that the association between the prevalence of health disorders in kindergarten and neighbourhood-level socio-economic status is stronger in some areas of the country than in others can help us identify opportunities to support children in these areas who have health disorders,” they write.

“Supports provided — especially in schools — offer a critical opportunity to improve [children’s] long-term outcomes.”

Sonia Anand, also of McMaster University, writes about how racialized people are underrepresented in clinical trials. This, she writes, “is a serious and largely unrecognized problem that needs more scrutiny as part of the growing movement to foster health equity.”

Also today:

Susannah Schmidt

Education + Arts Editor
Policymakers must ensure robust resources are in place where they are needed most. (Shutterstock)

Children with special health needs are more likely to come from poorer neighbourhoods

Caroline Reid-Westoby, McMaster University; Magdalena Janus, McMaster University

A study pertaining to more than 1.4 million kindergarteners across Canada finds the occurrence of health disorders higher as the socio-economic status of a neighbourhood decreases.
Racialized people are dsproportionately affected by diabetes, but are underrepresented in clinical studies. (Shutterstock)

Whose health matters? The diversity deficit in clinical trials

Sonia Anand, McMaster University

Diabetes trials are leaving out people who are most affected by diabetes, which creates a series of problems include the greater likelihood of missing rare and potentially dangerous side effects.
A green ribbon reading “Ash Tree at Risk” is tied around an ash tree in Omaha, Neb. in 2017. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)

The emerald ash borer has arrived in B.C. — what can we do about it?

Dezene Huber, University of Northern British Columbia; Chris JK MacQuarrie, University of Toronto

The emerald ash borer is a destructive invasive pest which has killed tens of millions of trees across North America and has now been sighted in Vancouver.
The United States Preventive Services Task Force, the Canadian Cancer Society and several Canadian provinces now endorse breast cancer screening for women ages 40-49, but the new guidelines from the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care do not. (Shutterstock)

Ignoring reason and evidence: Why new breast cancer guidelines advising against screening women in their 40s are misguided

Anna N. Wilkinson, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa; Jean Seely, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa; Moira Rushton, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa; Suleena Duhaime, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa

Early detection is crucial in the fight against breast cancer. Yet the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care’s new guidelines do not endorse breast cancer screening for women in their 40s.
The local food movement has gained momentum as people seek to support more sustainable and ethical food production practices. (U.S. Department of Agriculture)

Local food systems need to prioritize job quality alongside ethical food production

Stevens Azima, Université Laval

Local food systems are often hailed as being more sustainable than global food systems, but are these systems truly any better?
The Ismaili Centre in the North York district in Toronto, Ont.

To remain relevant to young Muslims, mosques must become more inclusive spaces for women

Tammy Gaber, Laurentian University

Mosques with walls, barriers and separated entrances all send a clear message to Muslim women: that these spaces are not designed to include us.

La Conversation Canada
Les Mexicains ont élu une première femme présidente, Claudia Sheinbaum, par une majorité écrasante. (Mario Guzman / EPA)

Mexique : Claudia Sheinbaum saura-t-elle enrayer la spirale de la violence ?

Amalendu Misra, Lancaster University

La présidente désignée du Mexique, Claudia Sheinbaum, a promis de s’attaquer à la violence des cartels. Saura-t-elle réussir là où son prédécesseur, dont elle s’inspire, a échoué ?

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