February 24, 26, early childhood and education

HE301: Social Determinants of Health

Overview

• Dates: February 24 & 26

• Focus on the significance of education and early childhood experiences in health outcomes.

Inequalities in Early Childhood Development in Canada

Vulnerable Populations

• Disadvantaged conditions increase vulnerability among children in early development.

• Vulnerability assessed via Early Development Instrument; reflects deficiencies compared to peers.

• Statistics: 1 in 4 Canadian children vulnerable in at least one developmental area.

• Areas of Vulnerability:

  • Physical health and well-being

  • Social competence

  • Language and thinking skills

  • Communication skills and general knowledge

Long-term Effects

• Developmental vulnerabilities can lead to:

• Chronic diseases and conditions

• Lower literacy and economic participation

• Increased risks of violence, addictions, poor mental health, and crime

Gender Disparities

• Boys exhibit higher levels of developmental vulnerability compared to girls.

Income Inequality

• Children in low-income communities face the greatest developmental inequalities:

  • 2.2x higher vulnerability in materially and socially deprived areas.

  • 1.8x higher in lowest-income communities.

  • Indigenous children face twice the vulnerability rate compared to non-Indigenous counterparts.

Indigenous Challenges

• Inequities linked to historical colonial policies, such as Residential Schools.

• Have led to intergenerational trauma impacting health and social outcomes.

Supportive Conditions for Development

• Higher household income and safe living conditions contribute positively to child development:

• Income above the poverty line

• Ability to afford nutritious food

• Supportive parenting and higher parental education

Education and Health Pathways

Influences of Education

• Higher family income is correlated with improved academic and social skills in early education.

• Children facing disadvantages may lag behind academically, resulting in negative outcomes.

• Recognized need for interventions to address educational disparities.

Social Mobility Across Countries

Comparative Analysis

• 17 of the top 20 socially mobile countries are in Europe; Canada ranks lower on fair work opportunities despite good education and healthcare access.

• The Nordic countries rank highest due to strong educational systems and social safety nets.

Definition of Social Mobility

• Refers to the potential for children to improve their social status compared to their parents.

Education Defined

• Education encompasses the years and levels of schooling attained by individuals (high school, college, university).

Education's Impact on Health

Correlation Between Education and Longevity

• Increased education leads to longer lifespans and better health metrics across all demographics and countries.

Dropout Rates

• Higher dropout rates observed in lower-income families, with high school completion steadily increasing.

• In 2016, approximately 340,000 young Canadians (ages 25-34) lacked a high school diploma (Statistics Canada, 2017).

Disparities in Education

• In Ontario, 65% of the non-Indigenous population has post-secondary education vs. 53% of Indigenous populations aged 24-65.

Systemic Racism in Education

• Acknowledgment of racial segregation and inequities impacting Black students in Canadian schools.

Education's Influence on Health

Socioeconomic Factors

• Economic factors significantly shape children's health from conception to age 5 through parental education and income levels.

Health Knowledge and Behaviours

• Education leads to healthier decision-making and behaviours early in life and increases health literacy levels.

Employment and Income Connection

• Education yields better job prospects, working conditions, and income, which promote better health outcomes.

Social and Psychological Resources

• Education improves control beliefs, social standing, and access to social support networks.

Transgenerational Effects

• Higher parental education leads to better child nutrition, physical activity, and cognitive development.

• Improves overall investments of time and money in children.

Effects of Low Parental Education

• Lower education correlates with deficits in finances, time, knowledge, and skills for child development.

• Racial disparities result in “diminished returns” for people of color from higher SES.

Education and Mental Health

• Individuals with lower educational attainment are more likely to face mental health disorders (Demange et al., 2024).

Life Course Perspective

Definition

• Emphasizes that health outcomes are influenced by experiences throughout life stages, particularly childhood experiences.

Key Concepts of Benzeval's Model

1. Cumulative Disadvantage: Early life experiences, like childhood poverty, have long-lasting health impacts that widen with age.

2. Social Context: Family, education, and economic conditions are determinants of health outcomes.

3. Critical Periods: Specific life stages have significant influences on health (e.g., stress during childhood).

4. Life Events and Transitions: Major life changes can be turning points affecting health positively or negatively.

5. Timing and Sequence: Order and timing of experiences shape their long-term effects on health.

6. Agency and Control: Individuals can make choices affecting their trajectory despite societal constraints.

Implications of the Life Course Perspective

• Health influenced by a range of factors over time; interventions should address the entire life trajectory rather than isolated events.

Effects in Life Course Theory

1. Cumulative Effects: Study how repeated minor disadvantages accumulate impacting health significantly over time.

2. Latent Effects: Early exposures that show long-term health impacts in adulthood, such as childhood stressors.

3. Pathway Effects: Early experiences shape life paths and choices that subsequently affect health outcomes, such as career opportunities and quality of living conditions.

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

Overview

• Refers to stressful or traumatic experiences occurring before 18 that can affect lifelong health. Examples include:

  • Physical and emotional abuse, neglect, household substance abuse, parental separation, and more.

Statistics

• Notable impact of ACEs on health and social outcomes in adulthood, highlighting the urgent need for early interventions.

Health Risks Associated with ACEs

Key Findings

• Individuals with multiple ACEs show significantly increased risks for various health issues including:

  • Drug injection, pregnancy issues, mental health disorders, and incarceration.

Conclusion

• Addressing social determinants, especially in early childhood education and preventive health measures, can significantly improve long-term health outcomes.