Adding Health to Welfare Policy: A HiaP Approach in Ontario Canada

Authors

  • Pamela Mary Lahey PhD Candidate, Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University
  • Emile Tompa Adjunct Associate Professor, Department of Economics, McMaster University, Senior Scientist, Institute for Work & Health
  • Joy C. MacDermid PT, PhD. School of Physical Therapy, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada and School of Rehabilitation Sciences, McMaster University
  • Bonnie Kirsh PhD. Bonnie Kirsh, Associate Professor, Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy
  • Rebecca E. Gewurtz PhD. Rebecca Gewurtz, PhD, OT Reg. (Ont.) Assistant Professor, Occupational Therapy, School of Rehabilitation, McMaster University

Keywords:

social assistance, policy analysis, health-in-all-policies, social determinants of health

Abstract

Increasingly, the relationship between social factors and health has been reflected in social policy. Through a focus on social determinants of health (SDOH), there has been a shift towards health promotion. However, there is little understanding of how extensively considerations of health impacts have been taken up in social policy. Such understanding would identify where more attention to SDOH could better address the needs of those most at risk for poor health. The purpose of this study is to explore the extent to which policies within Ontario’s Social Assistance Program address SDOH, through a Health in all Policies (HiaP) approach, an intersectoral approach to public policy development that seeks to avoid negative health impacts of a policy on the target population. A policy analysis was conducted on publicly available Ontario social assistance program documents. Twenty-three documents were analysed using the principles of interpretative description. Four main themes emerged: 1) a health-enabling social assistance system improves population health outcomes; 2) overlooking the role of social determinants of health produces health inequities 3) protect and promote health as a central goal; and 4) a cross-ministerial approach to health outcomes is desirable. These themes were checked against the HiaP checklist, a tool developed for this project to ensure that the themes aligned with established features of a HiaP approach. Findings reflect the extent to which this approach is adopted in social assistance policy and highlight the need for a deliberate and integrated strategy to address SDOH and improve health equity through social policy. 

Author Biographies

Pamela Mary Lahey, PhD Candidate, Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University

PhD Candidate, social policy analyst and researcher in work disability policy. Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University.

Pam Lahey is supported by a Joseph-Armand Bombardier Scholarship from Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)

Emile Tompa, Adjunct Associate Professor, Department of Economics, McMaster University, Senior Scientist, Institute for Work & Health

PhD. Emile Tompa, Adjunct Associate Professor, Department of Economics, McMaster University, Senior Scientist, Institute for Work & Health and co-director of the Centre for Research on Work Disability Policy

Joy C. MacDermid, PT, PhD. School of Physical Therapy, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada and School of Rehabilitation Sciences, McMaster University

Joy C MacDermid is supported by a CIHR Chair in Gender, Work and Health and the Dr. James Roth Research Chair in Measurement and Knowledge Translation.

Bonnie Kirsh, PhD. Bonnie Kirsh, Associate Professor, Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy

PhD. Bonnie Kirsh, Associate Professor, Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy

Rebecca E. Gewurtz, PhD. Rebecca Gewurtz, PhD, OT Reg. (Ont.) Assistant Professor, Occupational Therapy, School of Rehabilitation, McMaster University

Rebecca Gewurtz, PhD, OT Reg. (Ont.) Assistant Professor, Occupational Therapy, School of Rehabilitation, McMaster University
Canadian Review of Social Policy | Revue Canadienne de politique sociale volume 77 (2017)

Published

2017-12-22

How to Cite

Lahey, P. M., Tompa, E., MacDermid, J. C., Kirsh, B., & Gewurtz, R. E. (2017). Adding Health to Welfare Policy: A HiaP Approach in Ontario Canada. Canadian Review of Social Policy Revue Canadienne De Politique Sociale, 77. Retrieved from https://crsp.journals.yorku.ca/index.php/crsp/article/view/40279

Issue

Vol. 77 (2017)

Section

Articles

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