HEALTH OF CANADIAN CHILDREN.

Running head: HEALTH OF CANADIAN CHILDREN 1
Health of Canadian Children
Name
Institution

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Health of Canadian Children
Describe factors that you believe affect the health of Canadian children.
Good health is very essential for children growth and development. To reduce the burden
of healthcare system and ensure quality of life, the well-being of the children must be regularly
checked so that they may achieve their full potential as healthy adults. However, there are
biological, social and environmental factors that affect the health of children in Canada.
Social Factors
Children are very vulnerable to social influences at their early ages and this has profound
effects on their health. Children exposed to adverse social conditions can lead to chronic
disorders in their late lives. One of the social determinants is maternal education. Children often
rely on their parents for environmental interactions and has a strong positive impact on the
survival of children (Public health Agency of Canada, 2017). Maternal education leads to
successful completion of immunization of children thus increasing their survival rate. Another
social determinant is rural-urban disparities as children in urban areas are likely to get medical
care compared to children in rural areas. Lack of access to clean water as well as poor sanitation
are highly likely to determine the health status of children (Children First Canada, 2018).
Environmental
The physical environment can affect the health of the through exposure to harmful
substances, community structure as well as access to health-related resources. These exposures
can lead to cardiovascular and respiratory morbidity and mortality in children. Lack of physical
exercise and activities may lead to obesity and other health risk factors (Towns, Cooke, Rysdale,

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& Wilk, 2014). Poor eating habits as well as financial status of the family are highly likely to
determine the health of children as they may lead to malnutrition or even diabetes.
Biological
The biology of a child determines the physiological processes and how the organs adapt
to the outside influences. The biological patterns like genes has a great influence on health and is
associated with trauma and phobias. These factors can also influence the health-related behaviors
like emotions, attitudes and cognitions.

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References
Children First Canada., (2018). Raising Canada: A report on Children in Canada, their health
and wellbeing. University of Calgary, O’Brien Institute for Public Health. Retrieved on
21st March 2019 from https://obrieniph.ucalgary.ca/files/iph/raising-canada-report.pdf
Pimento,B.Kernstead,D (2015) Healthy Foundations in Early Childhood Settings (5thed) Nelson
Education:Toronto.Units 1 and 9
Public health Agency of Canada (2017). How Healthy are Canadians? A trend analysis of the
health of Canadians from a healthy living and chronic disease perspective. Retrieved on
21st March 2019 from
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/healthy-living/how-
healthy-canadians.html
Towns, C., Cooke, M., Rysdale, L., & Wilk, P. (2014). Healthy weights interventions in
Aboriginal children and youth: a review of the literature. Canadian Journal of Dietetic
Practice and Research, 75(3), 125-131.