A low income has significant implications for a person’s health. Adequate financial resources afford people the opportunity to purchase the necessities of life, such as nutritious food, rent and more. Money also provides people and families the opportunity to participate in leisure activities that enhance quality of life. This might be a family trip to the movies or fees for registering children in a local recreational soccer team.
Income is closely related to many of the social determinants of health. The gap between those making the most money and those making the least has increased since the mid 1990s. People with lower income are more likely to be in need of housing, experience household food insecurity, and have children vulnerable in areas of early childhood development. Without an adequate income, it can be difficult to access nutritious food or obtain an education, which affords opportunities for good health. The chronic stress of low income can also have negative impacts on health.
- The 2021 census found that 12% of people of all ages are living with a low income in Hastings and Prince Edward Counties (HPEC), according to the after-tax low-income measure. This is compared to only 10% in Ontario.
- The 2016 census found that 16% of residents were living on a low income in HPEC. This most recent data reflects an almost 4% decrease than findings from the 2016 census.
- Nearly 1 in 5 (18%) adults living in Hastings and Prince Edward Counties pay more than 30% of their income towards housing. This is compared to 21% of adults in Ontario.
- This number is much higher for renters, where over 1 in 3 (37%) renters are paying more than 30% on housing.
- This is in contrast to 12% of owned households spending 30% or more on housing.
- While affordable housing remaining a problem in HPEC, the number of people spending more than 30% of their income on housing has dropped almost 7% since the last census.
- The Ontario Living Wage Network determined a living wage in HPEC is $20.60/ hour.
- A living wage is the hourly wage a worker needs to earn to cover their basic expenses and participate in their community.
Public Health’s Role
- Educating the public on the crucial link between money and health.
- Supporting businesses in our community to pay their employees a living wage.
- Providing the Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program (OSDCP) for high quality dental care based on age, Ontario residency, income and lack of access to other forms of dental coverage.
- Connecting local residents to tax clinics:
Other Income-Related Community Resources
- The Community Advocacy & Legal Centre may be able to provide you with income assistance
