Every person should have an equal opportunity to achieve their optimal health regardless of social, economic and environmental conditions
This is known as health equity. Equity means we work towards making sure people get the supports, services and resources that are best for them. This is different than equality which is providing the same thing for everyone.
Only about 25 per cent of the reason why you're sick is because of your access to quality health care. Around 75 per cent of your health is due to other factors in your life, including your gender, race, employment conditions, the quality of the air you breathe, or how much green space there is in your neighbourhood.
The differences in these factors lead to different health outcomes in groups of people. These patterns relate to the systems of power and the ways institutions and processes are organized. These systems and processes are made by people, and can be changed.
It's important for us to make changes and remove barriers so that everyone has the opportunity to be as healthy as possible.
Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
This is the first report for the Health Equity Strategic Plan. It includes a summary of the background research, details of the goals, objectives and activities of the plan, along with a timeline.
Find out how Niagara would look if it was a village of 100 people.
Creating Our Way Forward: Recommendations for Improving Niagara Region Public Health and Emergency Services' Indigenous Engagement 2019 was written by Kelly Fran Davis in collaboration with local Indigenous organizations.
The report looks at gaps in current programs and services, explores how to improve collaboration between local Indigenous organizations and local health organizations, and provides actionable recommendations on how to implement the calls to action of Canada's Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
The Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe are the local Indigenous Peoples of Niagara region. The oldest known treaty between Europeans and the local Indigenous peoples included the land we now call Niagara.
In 1613, the Dutch and the Haudenosaunee created an agreement known as the Two Row Wampum, with two purple rows surrounded by three white rows. One purple row represents the ship of the Dutch. The other purple row is the Haudenosaunee canoe. Each row is travelling down the river of life side by side, neither attempting to steer the other's vessel. The three white rows represent three principles to solidify the treaty: friendship and peace between the two people in an agreement that will last forever.
Learn about the different Indigenous organizations in Niagara and check out the programs and services they offer. You can also sign up for their newsletters and attend local events.
The Fort Erie Native Friendship Centre produced a docuseries highlighting Indigenous history in Niagara. Together, they're less than an hour long