National Network for Equitable Library Service

This book is an introduction to issues of the social determinants of health. Social determinants of health of the living and working conditions that shape whether we remain healthy or become ill the social determinants of health are shaped themselves by public policy made by Canadian governments. The last 20 years has seen public policy operating in such a way as to threaten health rather than supported. This is very much a reflection of the growing dominance of the corporate and business sector on Canadian life and sees its reflection in growing income and wealth inequalities, precarious work and unstable employment and deteriorating working and living conditions for many Canadians. It is well documented that these conditions are the ones that lead to poor health as well as social disruption. This book aims to educate Canadians about these issues and provide means by which they are to be addressed. As such this book will serve as a wake-up call to Canadians that they need to pressure their elected representatives to create public policy that in the interest of the majority of the Canadians and not the well-of. As such this should lead to improved health and quality of life for Canadians and reverse recent public policy trends are working against health and quality of life.