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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