Canadians on welfare have significantly higher odds of reporting
poor physical and mental health, finds a University of Toronto
study. Statistical analysis of data from the 1996-97 National
Population Health Survey revealed that welfare recipients were
more likely to report poor or fair health, depression and
distress than people not on welfare as well as fewer social
supports. The study, published in the March/April issue of the
Canadian Journal of Public Health, also found that welfare
recipients whose activity was not restricted by long-term
disability had greater odds of reporting heart disease than non-
welfare recipients. "These findings indicate that adults on
welfare struggle with a broad spectrum of health problems," says
the study's senior author, nutritional sciences professor
Valerie Tarasuk. "I believe the increasing inadequacy of welfare
benefits in many provinces may put them at even greater health
risk. The impact of welfare program reforms on the health and
well-being of recipients must be ass