TOP THREATS to CHILDHOOD in CANADA RECOVERING from the IMPACTS of COVID-19 Table of Acknowledgements 1 Contents Executive Summary 4
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TOP THREATS TO CHILDHOOD IN CANADA RECOVERING FROM THE IMPACTS OF COVID-19 Table of Acknowledgements 1 Contents Executive Summary 4 Foreword 10 Introduction and Background 12 Methods and Framework 14 What’s New in this Report 16 Data from StatsCan 17 Top 10 Threats to Childhood in Canada 18 1. Unintentional and preventable injuries 19 2. Poor mental health 22 3. Systemic racism and discrimination 28 4. Child abuse 34 5. Vaccine-preventable illnesses 38 6. Poverty 42 7. Food and nutritional insecurity 46 8. Infant mortality 50 9. Bullying 53 10. Limited physical activity and play 56 Interconnection Between Threats 60 Cross-Cutting Themes 62 1. Access to education and child care 62 2. Access to health care and social services 67 3. Inequity and inequality 69 4. Climate change 72 Strengths and Limitations 75 Concluding Remarks 76 Next Steps & Calls to Action 77 References 81 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Children First Canada gratefully acknowledges the contributions of many individuals and organizations that were involved in this report. Research Team: Children First Canada Editorial Team: Children First Canada • Sydney Campbell, MA, Lead • Kelsey Beson, Manager of • Sara Austin, Editor in Chief Researcher & PhD Candidate, Programs, Children First Canada (Founder and CEO) Institute of Health Policy, • Stephanie Mitton, Government • Nicolette Beharie, Editor Management and Evaluation, Relations Advisor, Children First (Manager of Digital Marketing and University of Toronto Canada Communications) • Sarelle Obar Sheldon, BSW, • Sagni Kuma, CFC Youth Advisor Research Assistant and MSW Candidate, School of Social Work, • Hannah Ruuth, CFC Youth Advisor, X Universityi Masters of Public Administration Student, School of Policy Studies, • Shana Hutchinson, Research Queen’s University Assistant and BSW Student, School of Social Work, X University i In solidarity with Indigenous communities, “Ryerson University” has been purposefully removed and replaced with “X University.” Egerton Ryerson’s name and legacy, which are symbols of cultural genocide and intergenerational trauma, must be removed from the post-secondary school’s name. Until this step towards decolonization, reconciliation and reparations is met, many of those affiliated with this institution have chosen to replace his name with “X University.” Child and Youth Contributors External Expert Reviewers Young Canadians Roundtable • Dr. Imaan Bayoumi, MD, MSc, • Dr. Martha Fulford, BSc, BEd, MA, on Health: FCFP, Department of Family MD, FRCPC, Associate Professor, Medicine, Queen’s University Division of Infectious Diseases, • Shalyn Bona & Public Health Sciences, Queen’s McMaster University • Mariah Burns University • Dr. Brent Hagel, Professor, • Micaela Harley • Dr. Rachel Berman, PhD, Departments of Pediatrics and Holland Bloorview Youth Associate Professor, School of Community Health Sciences, Advisory Council Early Childhood Studies, Cumming School of Medicine, X University University of Calgary; Institutes: • Riley A. Alberta Children’s Hospital • Dr. Irena Buka, MB.ChB, FRCPC, • Samantha A. Research Institute and O’Brien Clinical Professor Emerita of Institute for Public Health, • Zoe Komlos Pediatrics, University of Alberta University of Calgary • Alex T. and Co-founder of the Children’s Environmental Health Clinic • Cliff Lindeman, MPH, University • Logan W. of Alberta, Faculty of Kinesiology, • Debbie Field, Coalition for • Anonymous Sport, and Recreation Healthy School Food Coordinator, A special thank you to the Associate Member, Centre for • Dr. Sheri Madigan, PhD, R.Psych, young people who created and Studies in Food Security Associate Professor, Department contributed artwork to share their of Psychology, University of • Dr. Jeremy Friedman, MB.ChB perspectives on the top 10 threats Calgary FRCP, Associate Pediatrician-in- to childhood. Chief, Hospital for Sick Children and Professor of Pediatrics, University of Toronto Raising Canada 2021 1 • Dr. Ripudaman Minhas, MD, Professor, School of Occupational » Natalie Rodriguez, Program MPH, FRCPC, Developmental Therapy, University of Western Director, Azad Lab Pediatrician, Assistant Professor Ontario » CHILD Cohort Study site of Pediatrics, University of • Dr. Michelle Ward, MD, FAAP, leaders and coordinators Toronto and Director of Research, FRCPC, Associate Professor Department of Pediatrics, St. » CHILD Cohort Study and Division Head, Division of Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health participating children and Child and Youth Protection, Toronto families Department of Pediatrics, • Ontario Association of Children’s University of Ottawa • Dr. Kim Schmidt, PhD, Research Aid Societies Manager, Healthy Starts • Dr. Kelley Zwicker, MSc, MD, Theme, BC Children’s Hospital » Keishia Facey, MA (Public FRCPC, Assistant Professor, Research Institute and the Social Policy, Administration and Pediatrics, Division of Community Exposome Cluster, University of Law), Program Manager, Pediatrics, University of Ottawa British Columbia One Vision One Voice Key Contributors and Advisors • Dr. Joelle LeMoult, PhD, » Kristin Roe, MAdEd, MSW, RSW, Department of Psychology, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion • CHILD Cohort Study Team University of British Columbia Lead » Dr. Meghan Azad, Deputy • Dr. Michael Kobor, PhD, Professor » Iona Sky, MSW, RSW, Director, Director, CHILD Cohort Study, and Canada Research Chair Practice Transformation University of Manitoba in Social Epigenetics and • Dr. Debra Pepler, OC, PhD, » Dr. Padmaja Subbarao, Director, Department of Medical Genetics, C.Psych, Distinguished Research CHILD Cohort Study, Hospital University of British Columbia Professor of Psychology, York for Sick Children • Dr. Keiko Shikako-Thomas, OT, University » Larisa Lotoski, Research PhD, McGill University • Leila Sarangi, Director, Social Associate, Children’s Hospital • Dr. Roberta Cardoso, RN, PhD, Action, National Coordinator, Research Institute of Manitoba McGill University Health Centre Campaign 2000 » Rilwan Azeez, Graduate • Dr. Miriam Gonzalez, MSc, PhD, • Dr. John C. Spence, PhD, Student, University of Manitoba McGill University Professor, University of Alberta, » Marshall Beck, Digital Initiatives Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and • Josh Fullan, Director of Maximum Manager, CHILD Cohort Study Recreation City » Myrtha Reyna-Vargas, • Nora Spinks, CEO, Vanier Institute • Dr. Barbara Fallon, PhD, Professor Biostatistician, CHILD Cohort and Canada Research Chair in • Dr. Ann Sprague, RN, PhD, Project Study Child Welfare, Factor-Inwentash Advisor, BORN Ontario » Kim Wright, Manager, Faculty of Social Work, University • Dr. Tracy Vaillancourt, Full Communications & Stakeholder of Toronto Professor and Tier 1 Canada Engagement, CHILD Cohort Study • Statistics Canada Research Chair in School-Based » Aimée Dubeau, Program Mental Health and Violence • The O’Brien Institute for Public Manager, CHILD Cohort Study Prevention, University of Ottawa Health » Tyler Freitas, Data Manager, • Dr. Leigh Vanderloo, Knowledge CHILD Cohort Study Translation Manager, ParticipACTION and Adjunct Children First Canada Council of Champions acknowledges the leadership of • Dr. Susanne Benseler, Director, • Dr. Ronald Cohn, President the Council of Champions and their Alberta Children’s Hospital & CEO, The Hospital for Sick commitment to mitigating the Research Institute, ACHF Chair in Children (SickKids) impacts of COVID-19 on children in Pediatric Research, Husky Energy Canada, and the vision of making • Irwin Elman, Former Ontario Chair in Child and Maternal Canada the best place in the world Child Advocate, Global Strategic Health for kids to grow up!© Champion, Until The Last Child Raising Canada 2021 2 • Debbie Field, Coalition for • Krista Jangaard, CEO, IWK Health • Lori Spadorcia, Senior Vice- Healthy School Food Coordinator, Centre President, Public Affairs, Associate Member, Centre for Partnerships and Chief Strategy • Dr. Michael Kobor, Professor, Studies in Food Security Officer, CAMH Department of Medical Genetics, • Emily Gruenwoldt, President Faculty of Medicine, University of • Bruce Squires, President, & CEO, Children’s Healthcare British Columbia McMaster Children’s Hospital Canada, Executive Director of • Kimberly Moran, CEO, Children’s • Katie Taylor, Chair of RBC Pediatric Chairs of Canada Mental Health Ontario and Former Chair of SickKids • Mary Jo Haddad, Chancellor of Foundation • Alex Munter, President & CEO, the University of Windsor, Former Children’s Hospital of Eastern • Michael Ungar, Canada Research President & CEO of SickKids, Ontario (CHEO) and the Ottawa Chair in Child, Family and Member of the Board of Directors Children’s Treatment Centre Community Resilience of TELUS and TD Bank Group • Rhiannon Rosalind, President & • Leah Zille, Executive Director, The • Christine Hampson, President & CEO, Economic Club of Canada Treehouse (Vancouver Child and CEO, The Sandbox Project Youth Advocacy Centre) • Dr. Holden Sheffield, Chief • Julia Hanigsberg, CEO, Holland of Pediatrics and General Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Pediatrician, Qikiqtani General Hospital Hospital, Iqaluit, Nunavut • Mark Hierlihy, President & CEO, • Ariel Siller, CEO, Canadian Canada’s Children’s Hospital Children’s Literacy Foundation Foundations Children First Canada acknowledges the generous financial support fromTD Bank Group, through the TD Ready Commitment, to help make this report possible. 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