The POWER Study (Project for an Ontario Women's Health Evidence-based Report) Social Determinants of Health and Populations at Risk chapter

The POWER Study (Project for an Ontario Women's Health Evidence-based Report) Social Determinants of Health and Populations at Risk chapter is now available for download. 
 
 Using a community-engaged research model and integrated KT approach, the POWER Study has examined a comprehensive set of evidence-based indicators bridging population health and health system performance. The Women's Health Equity Report is serving as an evidence-based tool for policy makers, providers and consumers in their efforts to improve health and reduce health inequities in Ontario. POWER has examined gender differences in access to care, as well as quality and outcomes of care for the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the province and how they differ by gender, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, and geography. 
 
The Social Determinants of Health and Populations at Risk chapter examines the social determinants of health among Ontario's women and men including: low income, low education, indicators of employment, lone-parent families, and food insecurity. We also summarize the POWER Study indicators across all chapters as they relate to low-income populations, providing a synthesis of health functional status, risk factors and prevention, access to health care services, clinical management, and health outcomes of lower-income adults. The final section re-examines and synthesizes the POWER Study findings in relation to immigrant and minority populations, as well as reporting three indicators of immigrant women's health that have not previously been reported in the POWER Study. Based on our analyses, identified opportunities to improve health and health care and reduce inequities, together with broad community consultation and dialogue, we developed the POWER Health Equity Road Map. The 
 aim of the Road Map is to help move us forward to the goal of achieving health equity in Ontario. The time to move forward is now. What is needed is the will and commitment.
 
 To download a copy of the full chapter or the highlights document (which outlines the chapter's key findings and messages): http://powerstudy.ca/the-power-report/the-power-report-volume-2/social-determinants-of-health-and-populations-at-risk
 
The French translation of the Social Determinants of Health and Populations at Risk Highlights document will be available on our website soon.
 
Also available for download from www.powerstudy.ca: Introduction to the POWER Study (Ch 1); The POWER Study Framework (Ch 2); Burden of Illness (Ch 3); Cancer (Ch 4); Depression (Ch 5), Cardiovascular Disease (Ch 6), Access to Health Care Services (Ch 7), Musculoskeletal Conditions (Ch 8), Diabetes (Ch 9), Reproductive and Gynaecological Health (Ch 10), HIV Infection (Ch 11), Older Women's Health Report.
 
The POWER Study's concluding chapter 'Achieving Health Equity in Ontario: Opportunities for Intervention and Improvement' is forthcoming and will be available on our website soon. 
 
Arlene S. Bierman, MD, MS
Echo's Ontario Women's Health Council Chair in Women's Health
Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto and
Keenan Research Centre in the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital
30 Bond Street (209 Victoria Street, Room 219)
Toronto, ON  M5B 1W8
Phone:  (416) 864-3041
Fax:    (416) 864-5641
 
Web: www.powerstudy.ca 
 
The POWER Study is funded by Echo: Improving Women's Health in Ontario, an agency of the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. This report does not necessarily reflect the views of Echo or the Ministry. 
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