An independent source of information and incisive comment on health 
and social service programs and policies in Canada and the world.  

Community Action Reports

COMMENTS
If good economic conditions equal good health, why do international comparisons show that the Cuban population is ranked among the healthiest in the world?  MORE 

MENTAL HEALTH
Federal government adds to mental health commission mandate. The federal government extended the mandate of the Canadian Mental Health Commission to 10 years and added $130 million over its mandate, Health Minister Tony Clement.  More    

Income Security and employmenT  
How BC dropped its welfare time limits and remained punitive. The British Columbia government started out to impose time limits on welfare in 2001. It failed to carry through on its promise when faced with opposition from community groups, public servants and the threat of growing public sentiments against the policy, More

Social sector employment
Social sector jobs up, while general employment drops in June. Employment in Canada’s health and social services rose by more than 14,300 June 2008,  More              

SHELTER  
Calgary count reveals more homeless kids. Calgary’s biennial count of the homeless reveals a rise in the number of children, youths and families among those without shelter. The report on the enumeration calls it a “particular concern”.  
US reports decline in homeless  More

JUSTICE
New Zealand parole chief likes Canada's halfway houses New Zealand’s parole board head sees Canada as a model of rehabilitation. Former Chief District Court Judge David Caruthers told the New Zealand Herald, that he especially admires the system of halfway houses for ex-prisoners. MORE 

CHILDREN & FAMILIES
Judge rejects CAS request for parental capacity test. A request for a parental capacity assessment by the Children’s Aid Society of Halton was deemed a “fishing expedition” and turned down by an Ontario Divisional Court Judge. MORE

Charities & Voluntary Organizations 
Charitable status revoked after $464M in receipts. The International Charity Association Network, which issued approximately $464 million in tax deduction receipts in 2006, had its registered charity status revoked by the Canada Revenue Agency.    MORE 

Hospital admission rates for Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions in Canada have fallen by 20% since 2001. a report prepared by the Canadian Institute for Health Information and Statistics Canada reveals. Among the findings of the report are that
     hospitalization rates decreased as income levels increased; 
•    rates s were 60% higher in rural areas than in urban areas (318 per 100,000 population); and about 20% of patients hospitalized for these conditions came back to the hospital for an ACSC within one year of their first admission. 
    Regional differences, some a large as 2-fold are also shown.
    The conditions covered in the report are angina; asthma; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); diabetes; grand mal status and other epileptic convulsions; heart failure and pulmonary edema; and • hypertension. The full report can be read HERE.

 Book: Are business methods superior in reaching social goals?
Michael Edwards calls for greater humility among those giving the money.The director of the Governance and Civil Society Program at the Ford Foundation, argues that there is little evidence that business methods are superior in achieving social goals. Edward's book, Just Another Emperor? The Myths and Realities of Philanthrocapitalism examines the creed of such organisations as the foundation set up by Bill and Melinda Gates. Edwards He acknowledges that there is a potential positive impact to such philanthropy.  Read the book here.

Order Canada appointments, a selection of the appointees MORE

Medication errors related to working conditions of nurses More

Commercial day care poorer quality, Toronto report   More

One in 10 return to inpatient rehab
About 11% of clients admitted to inpatient rehabilitation, between 2003 and 2007, returned to rehabilitation after an initial discharge home, according to a report by the Canadian Institute for Health Information. When clients returned for a second stay in rehabilitation for the same condition, they were often discharged at higher levels of function following the second stay.

To Community Action readers: 
We appreciate your backing over the 23 years of publishing, More

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