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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Miriam Stewart, PhD, Faculty of Medicine and CIHR - Institute of Gender and Health, University of Alberta, 700 University Extension Centre, 8303-112 Street, Edmonton, AB T6G 2T4, Canada, (780) 492-8022, miriam.stewart@ualberta.ca, Edward Makwarimba, PhD, Social Support Research Program, Univerisity of Alberta, 5-22 University Extension Centre, 8303-112 Street, Edmonton, AB T6G2T4, Canada, and Linda Reutter, PhD, Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, 3rd Floor, Clinical Sciences Building, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G3, Canada.

Poverty is a global problem targeted for reduction by 2015 in the Millenium Development Goals. While research establishes that the poor are frequently lonely and excluded from participation and experience poor health and negative health behaviours, the links among these factors, social support, and socio-economic status, have traditionally been studied separately. We conducted individual interviews with low-income people (n=59) and higher-income people (n=60), and group interviews with 34 low-income people in 8 neighbourhoods in Edmonton and Toronto. Phase II involved a telephone survey of a representative sample (n=1671) of low and high-income people. In the final phase, group interviews engaged 23 policy makers from health-related sectors. In the survey, barriers to participation included: health constraints, limited awareness of services and inadequate financial resources. Poor health was strongly associated with poverty and prevented low-income people from participating in desired activities. Avoidance and distancing prevented participation for twice as many low-income as higher-income participants. 91% of respondents perceived that poverty influenced health. Material deprivation had a negative impact on health, according to the majority of respondents (84%). Survey participants identified barriers for poor people to obtain healthy food and to adopt healthy behaviours. Non-participation had an influence on emotional, social and physical well-being. Survey measures of social support were positively and significantly related to inclusion. Policies and programs to reduce exclusion, and provide adequate support to low-income people would improve their health, and safeguard their human right to public services and to meaningful participation in cultural and social life of their communities.

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