Observation: daily life dominated by cheap fast food; policy questions arise about affordability, access, and what policies should do when people log meals or meals become part of daily life. Discussion includes influence of celebrities/influencers on behavior, but speaker notes they personally don’t follow them.
Influence of consumer trends on policy needs: affordability of hair/beauty trends and other lifestyle choices (e.g., hair dyes) discussed as part of how people invest in themselves, with a caveat about costs and weaknesses but overall seen as a step in the right direction.
Basic policy levers mentioned include subsidies and income supports that affect children and families; emphasis on how financial support changes child poverty rates.
Concrete policy questions raised:
What impact do monthly child benefits have on child poverty if such income streams were removed?
How does minimum wage compare to a living wage in terms of real ability to cover essential needs?
Examples of specific policies discussed:
Childcare subsidies and monthly payments for children reduce poverty and support development.
Minimum wage vs living wage debate; living wage often misunderstood as unattainable but framed as earnings just sufficient to maintain a basic standard of living.
Agricultural policies and environmental protections as major policy areas.
Immunization policies and public health implications; concerns about governments making immunizations optional and the risks to vulnerable students.
Tariffs and their impact on food pricing and supply chains; links to food deserts and where people can access affordable nutritious food.
Real-world consequences discussed:
Immunization and herd immunity versus opt-out policies; risk to immunocompromised students in schools.
Measles outbreaks referenced: Alberta reportedly having measles cases comparable to or exceeding those in the US, highlighting public health risk.
Education and taxation topics:
Free college education as a potential policy to expand workforce in health care (doctors and nurses) and reduce debt burdens for students.
Comparison with other wealthy countries where postsecondary education is cheaper or free; discussion of how taxes support such models and the fear of taxes here.
Tax base considerations: Alberta vs Nova Scotia; resource wealth and tax capacity influence regional opportunities and living standards.
Economy, resources, and regional disparities:
Alberta’s oil wealth discussed as a factor in regional prosperity; Nova Scotia described as having fewer valuable resources, affecting the economy and tax base.
The economy is described as symbiotic: oil workers and farmers both contribute to the national economy; decreased oil demand affects communities, but farming remains essential.
-Housing costs and living conditions differ by province; migration between provinces to seek better wages or living conditions is common.
Equity vs equality vs justice: core framework for evaluating policies
Equality = treating everyone the same (e.g., giving everyone the same exam time).
Equity = tailoring supports to individual needs (e.g., more time for someone who needs it due to processing differences).
Justice = ensuring equal opportunities regardless of identity or background; addressing the underlying barriers and opportunities in a system.
Example: exam accommodations illustrate how equal treatment can fail to produce fair outcomes; equity provides necessary adjustments to enable meaningful opportunity.
Intersections of disadvantage (gender, race, age) compound barriers; policy must address overlapping vulnerabilities (intersectionality).
The difference between resources (equal distribution) and opportunities (adequate supports and access) is emphasized as essential to achieving justice.
Practical applications and rhetoric:
Caution against framing equity as a policy ‘favor’; aim for universal opportunities that are not dependent on identities.
Justice is achieved when opportunities are alike for everyone, irrespective of social determinants of health.
The discussion invites students to consider how policies should be designed to ensure everyone can thrive, including people with genetic conditions or disabilities who may require accommodations (e.g., ramps, wheelchairs).
A metaphor used: equal shoes for all may not fit; equity involves providing the right size or supports for each individual.
Foundations of Sustainable Development and Global Health Policy
Historical context of global health governance:
Post-World War II era: UN foundation to prevent conflict and foster development; a shift away from colonization toward decolonization and coordinated global development.
Early health systems were often charity-driven and church-based; modern health systems emerged with structures supported by philanthropy and international organizations (e.g., Rockefeller, Heritage) to build sustainable health infrastructures.
Emergence of global health frameworks:
The United Nations (UN) and global health declarations/guidelines emerged to coordinate health, economics, and security in a post-war, decolonizing world.
Initial global health focus prioritized communicable diseases (e.g., cholera, diarrhea, tropical diseases) due to widespread outbreaks.
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and shift to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
MDGs emerged in the early 2000s with a set of targeted goals to address extreme poverty and health inequities; there were eight major goals guiding global action.
In 2000–2015, progress included substantial reductions in extreme poverty and undernutrition, with campaigns to expand school enrollment and health interventions.
Specific metrics discussed:
Extreme poverty aimed to be reduced by half from the starting baseline over 15 years, using a poverty measure historically defined as earning below a certain per-day income (recent discussions reference $1 per day, later $3 per day as thresholds in historical contexts). In LaTeX form: 1\ ext{USD per day} and 3\ ext{USD per day}.
Undernutrition among children under five (wasting, stunting, underweight) decreased as part of nutrition improvements.
Maternal mortality, child mortality, school enrollment, and access to vaccines improved due to global campaigns (breastfeeding promotion, nutrition education, food security programs).
Millennium Development Goals outcomes (approximate narrative):
Maternal mortality, child mortality, and nutrition improved; HIV, malaria, and TB control achieved through health education and destigmatization, enabling better testing and treatment uptake.
HIV stigma reduced, leading to better testing and treatment adherence; malaria and TB interventions contributed to mortality reductions.
Transition to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
Adopted in 2015 as the successor to the MDGs, with 17 goals and a broader, more integrated approach for 2030.
17 SDGs call for inclusive, sustainable development with a focus on equity and environmental protection, requiring cross-sector collaboration among civil society, public sector, and private sector.
SDGs and their targets:
End poverty and hunger; ensure universal access to water, sanitation, and sustainable energy.
Promote inclusive education and decent work; build resilient infrastructure and sustainable cities.
Reduce inequalities (with emphasis on gender equality); protect the environment and combat climate change.
Promote peaceful and inclusive societies; foster global partnerships.
These goals collectively aim to improve life quality and provide agency for individuals to earn a livable wage and lead dignified lives.
Progress and challenges since the SDGs:
COVID-19 caused significant setback, with backsliding in health and nutrition indicators across many regions.
Ongoing geopolitical tensions and funding volatility affect global health initiatives; debates around involvement with UN agencies like WHO and potential withdrawals impact progress.
Trade disruptions and funding shocks threaten nutrition programs, vaccination campaigns, and cancer research trials, potentially erasing years of progress if funding remains unstable.
The SDGs’ reliance on sustained nutrition investments is underscored; nutrition is described as central to achieving many SDG targets (undernutrition, overnutrition, and overall food security).
The role of nutrition in SDGs:
Nutrition is foundational to achieving SDGs; addressing both undernutrition and overnutrition is essential to meet health and development targets.
Nutrition programs influence maternal and child health, education outcomes, and economic productivity.
The need to integrate nutrition into broader policy discussions across health, education, agriculture, trade, and social protection is emphasized.
Equity, Justice, and Social Determinants of Health in Policy
Key terms and distinctions:
Equality: giving everyone the same resources or opportunities.
Equity: providing tailored supports to meet individuals’ specific needs and barriers.
Justice: ensuring equal opportunities and outcomes by addressing systemic barriers and enabling participation for all.
Illustrative examples:
Exam accommodations on campus: giving everyone the same time (equality) may disadvantage some students; providing extra time for those who need it (equity) improves outcomes.
People with disabilities may require ramps or other accessibility supports; without these, equity is compromised and opportunities are limited.