SUSMITA PURAKAIT

REFLECTIVE ANALYSIS PAPER

INCOME INEQUALITIES
SUSMITA PURAKAIT
214 555 221

COURSE CODE: HH/HLST 1010

PROFESSOR: D. RAPHAEL

T.A: KATIE

December 11, 2015

SUSMITA PURAKAIT

The improvements in health sector of Canada evolved through a series of experiences The
introduction of nation-wide insurance Medicare entitled the Canadians all the necessary
medical services irrespective of gender, race, income and other social factors. The concern about
income inequality in health rises because advancement of Canada in health sector not because of
great medicinal inventions or instrument but only due to the congenial social environment we
live in.
The eradication of some global health diseases was primarily attributed by the improved living
conditions but a recent study reveals that heart diseases, stroke etc.is more affected by lower
income Canadians than its upper income counterparts. Does that imply that the universal health
care system has serious lapses in delivering services equally to all Canadians? Does the income
factor undermine the purpose of universal healthcare services and differentials between the lower
and higher income groups? Recent study has revealed that illness and premature death is being
affected by the lifestyle combined with other social factors. The income disparity among
different socio economic groups prevailed over the access of health services.
Report says Ontario is the worst province in growing gap between rich and poor. Ontario has the
largest income inequality. Research has shown how social inequality is affected by the
capitalism. The labour or the proletariat are being paid in low wages while increasing the
productivity. These increasing productivity policies affects the health of labour force. Capitalism
produces disease while pursuing the profit. The health impacts of a capitalist society are negative
the driving down of wages creates income inequality and ultimately creates an economic
inequality affecting the health severely. The social class differences in health as materialist view
is due to poor income which in turn creates social structural differences affecting other social
factors like poor housing, low educational attainment and social activities Although research has
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shown that the new entrants like anti-racism and post colonialism are very new field of study but
they are also well structured in our society. The colour coded labour market block the racialized
Canadians from the best paying job that Canada can offer. Research has displayed that racialized
Canadians are being in lower business activities ranging from janitorial services to call centers
where they had over representation.
The social determinant of health approach takes into account the set of all economic and political
conditions that creates poor health and outcomes and disparities across the sector. As the
tendency to give part time, contract or volunteer the low income drawn creates physical or
psychological strain on health along with the conditions under which they are impelled to work.
Research has shown that neo liberalism highlights the increasing inequalities among the nations.
The neo liberal nations have more unequal incomes than other democratic nations. To illustrate
this, it has been researched that during the period of economic expansion income inequalities
increased in the United States.
The status of the income inequality in the present socio-economic context can be said that
improved conditions of the income structure can help to improve the health conditions for the
lower income group. For this we need to formulate some policy that will help in eradicating the
income inequality. Formulating policy to remove income disparity is like building castle in air.
This can be in political propaganda of any/aspiring political party but not practical. Since time
immemorial the income disparity was there and in future it will be. The communism came in the
world in this content to by showing the world the dreams of a unified world where there will be
no poverty no social disparity but in the end it turned out that they are more oppressive than
capitalist. The dream of a sect free society turned out to be a sect consisting of have and havenots. In a nutshell we can say that income disparity will remain forever as long as other social
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evils will be present and vice-versa. But the basic question is will the lower income group will
suffer in receiving the improved health services and benefits. The bold answer is No. The
health services can be improved and brought under an umbrella. Before answering that question
let us look into details the effect of income on health services. Recent research has shown that for
relatively lower income group, healthy life is like a dream. To remain healthy we need a
healthy life style and diet. For a healthy diet people need to access the basic pre requisites like
peace, shelter education, food, income, a stable ecosystem, sustainable resources, social justice
and equity. How will they afford this? They are being subjected to work longer hours without
any monetary benefits, unacceptable conditions and various factors that impede the healthy life
style. It is a proven factor that poverty is a key determinant in the health. Income inequality
increases poverty and weakens the social structures that in turn shake the health sectors. The
health of the poorer Canadians is a consequence of its income inequality. Research by Statistics
Canada defined a cut off line for poverty based family size and community size and the
individuals below it. Research has also has displayed that there is a greater likelihood of death
from illness or injury at every stage of the life cycle.
The issue of income inequality in the hidden form of racial discrimination has a long history in
Canada. It can be said that it started from the time the European Settlers came to Canada and
introduced the concept by subjecting the aboriginals to work under lower wage and unacceptable
conditions. The trend continues but in a different format but in a hidden form. A qualified
candidate with racial profiling can be easily rejected if the interviewer is biased. Now comes the
question how we are going to deal with this? It remains hidden. Does any survey take into
account or has any survey dealt with this directly with this? A recent Oakville clinic
advertisement to recruit nurses reflect the racial discrimination in this context. In this regards it

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can be said that we need to be very careful about recruiting executives but my opinion is that
while recruiting we dont take care of this. So this sort of hidden feelings remains as a personal
bias. Parsons consideration that someone social status affects his health and the quality of
health care he receives. The sick role does not apply to the lower privileged group as they have
to take the responsibilities and obligations for their family as they could not afford the luxury of
taking off from their contractual work. If the conditions are severe, they would most likely visit
emergency or walking clinic but now the question comes of affording the medications. How will
they provide as the cost of medications are spiralling like a rocket will be the next complex
question?
From the above discussion it can be easily apprehended that health is a dependent variable and
poverty is an independent variable. So if we can make health as an independent variable in the
present scenario then our purpose will be lessened. The suggestion is like that we have to make
health an independent factor free from the other social factors. The government has to take
initiative on this. An analogy for this purpose can be coined as if mountain cant come to
Mahomet why wont Mahomet go to the mountain. If the lower income group cant avail the
health services, then why wont the health services go to them? A noteworthy illustration can be
provided about the success of the polio eradication program in India. The health and the quasi
health services staff went from door to door campaign, setting up booths, campaigning and
setting up a particular date as a national Polio day etc. The Govt and all the health sector
organisations administered polio dosage to all the new born children in addition to the new one
taking birth in the hospitals. The WHO declared this as a model for the world in the polio
eradication. In this context it can be suggested that similar approach can be fruitful to remove
child morbidity and providing health services to the needy ones already demarcated for this

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purpose. We need people to be in the fields, streets not in the conference room wasting billions of
dollars in discussion and research without any fruitful results. An illustration of this can be
provided by citing the example of the carelessness of wasting billions of dollars by Ontario Govt
in developing a controversial eHealth program that yielded nothing. We can come into
conclusion that although money cant provide happiness but it can provide mental security and
health. If Canada can eradicate income inequality or formulate a new health policy for the lower
income groups with vision of making Universal Health a success it will benefit not only the
poorer section but also the Canadian society as a whole .