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Duignan L, Dutton DJ. The association between allostatic load and guaranteed annual income using the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging: A cross-sectional analysis of the benefits of guaranteed public pensions. Health Policy 2024; 143:105054. [PMID: 38522246 DOI: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2024.105054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Old Age Security (OAS) represents an public policy through which income-related inequalities in health may be improved. The goal of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the health benefits of receiving OAS in financially insecure older Canadians. METHODS Using data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) (n=15,691), ordered logistic regression was used to measure associations between financial insecurity and allostatic load. RESULTS Receiving OAS as highest personal income source appeared to remove the health penalty of being financially insecure. While financial insecurity was associated with worse allostatic load in both males and females not receiving OAS, those receiving OAS as highest personal income source had better allostatic load compared to other financially insecure older adults (ORM: 0.398, 95 % CI: 0.227, 0.696; ORF: 0.677, 95 % CI: 0.483, 0.949). DISCUSSION While longitudinal data would be needed to draw causal inferences, these results suggest OAS may play a role improving health outcomes and narrowing income-related health inequalities. Such findings may have important implications on older adults, other vulnerable populations, and future directions of Canadian health and public policy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke Duignan
- Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, 5790 University Ave, Halifax, NS B3H 1V7, Canada.
| | - Daniel J Dutton
- Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, Dalhousie University, Canada
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Meulman I, Uiters E, Polder J, Stadhouders N. Why does healthcare utilisation differ between socioeconomic groups in OECD countries with universal healthcare coverage? A protocol for a systematic review. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e054806. [PMID: 34815290 PMCID: PMC8611423 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-054806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Even in advanced economies with universal healthcare coverage (UHC), a social gradient in healthcare utilisation has been reported. Many individual, community and healthcare system factors have been considered that may be associated with the variation in healthcare utilisation between socioeconomic groups. Nevertheless, relatively little is known about the complex interaction and relative contribution of these factors to socioeconomic differences in healthcare utilisation. In order to improve understanding of why utilisation patterns differ by socioeconomic status (SES), the proposed systematic review will explore the main mechanisms that have been examined in quantitative research. METHODS AND ANALYSIS The systematic review will follow the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses guidelines and will be conducted in Embase, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Econlit and PsycInfo. Articles examining factors associated with the differences in primary and specialised healthcare utilisation between socioeconomic groups in Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries with UHC will be included. Further restrictions concern specifications of outcome measures, factors of interest, study design, population, language and type of publication. Data will be numerically summarised, narratively synthesised and thematically discussed. The factors will be categorised according to existing frameworks for barriers to healthcare access. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION No primary data will be collected. No ethics approval is required. We intend to publish a scientific article in an international peer-reviewed journal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iris Meulman
- Centre for Health and Society, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
- Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands
| | - Ellen Uiters
- Center for Nutrition, Prevention and Health Services, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Johan Polder
- Centre for Health and Society, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
- Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands
| | - Niek Stadhouders
- Centre for Health and Society, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
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Schwartz J, Oh P, Perotto MB, Rhodes RE, Firth W, Bredin SSD, Gaytán-González A, Warburton DER. A Critical Review on New Approaches for Chronic Disease Prevention in Brazil and Canada: From Wholistic Dietary Guidelines to Physical Activity Security. Front Cardiovasc Med 2021; 8:730373. [PMID: 34527714 PMCID: PMC8435680 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.730373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
In light of new evidence on the prevention of chronic diseases and the elevated rates of overweight and obesity in Brazil and Canada, this critical review aims to interpret and synthesize current aspects regarding dietary and physical activity initiatives in both countries and make future recommendations. The pioneering work presented in the last Brazilian dietary guidelines has been called a model that can be applied globally, given its conceptualization of healthy eating that translates easily to practical guidance. The new Canadian Food Guide has incorporated similar aspects, also putting the country as a leader in dietary guidance. With these new recommendations, citizens in both Brazil and Canada have access to impactful evidence-informed nutritional guidelines. Both documents propose eating patterns that focus not only on health benefits, such as chronic disease prevention, but also incorporate well-being concerning cultural, economic, sociodemographic, biological, and ecological dimensions. A similar approach is required for physical activity to allow individuals to have attainable health and life goals and thereby fully enjoy their lives, regardless of geographical location, health status, and socioeconomic condition, a concept recently described as physical activity security. The wholistic dietary guidelines from both countries represent a change in paradigm in public health. Likewise, national evidence-based policies are warranted to reduce disparities in physical activity, allowing healthier and more active lifestyles for everyone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliano Schwartz
- Physical Activity Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention Unit, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Experimental Medicine Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Paul Oh
- Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation Program, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Maira B. Perotto
- West Toronto Diabetes Education Program, LAMP Community Health Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ryan E. Rhodes
- School of Exercise Science, Physical and Health Education, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Wanda Firth
- Hearts & Health in Motion Program, Nova Scotia Health, QEII Health Sciences Centre, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Shannon S. D. Bredin
- Physical Activity Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention Unit, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- School of Kinesiology, Faculty of Education, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Alejandro Gaytán-González
- Physical Activity Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention Unit, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- School of Kinesiology, Faculty of Education, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Institute of Applied Sciences for Physical Activity and Sport, University of Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Mexico
| | - Darren E. R. Warburton
- Physical Activity Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention Unit, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Experimental Medicine Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- School of Kinesiology, Faculty of Education, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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