Resource Library

One Chance to be a Child: A data profile to inform a better future for child and youth well-being in Nova Scotia

One Chance to be a Child is a data profile report presenting data on key indicators of child and youth wellbeing in Nova Scotia. Positioning child rights as the foundation for action, the full report and accompanying summary represent critical tools to address health equity for children and youth. 

Beginning with a description of the core concept of wellbeing, the report combines data with the input of young people in Atlantic Canada around six core aspects of wellbeing, including - mental wellbeing, social emotional wellbeing, economic and material wellbeing, physical wellbeing, connection to physical environments, and sense of belonging (social environments). Summary tables provide an overview of data for each of these themes in addition to detailed description of indicators and contextual basis for their influence on health. Extensive additional resources for each theme are provided. 

Spotlight sections on food security, oral health, substance use, children with disabilities, and the wellbeing of 2SLGBTQI+, Mi’kmaw, African Nova Scotian, and newcomer children and youth provide an in-depth look at some of the most prominent issues for Nova Scotian youth. The final section makes six overarching recommendations and 12 tangible actions for legislation, policy, and programming to address the most urgent threats to child and youth wellbeing in Nova Scotia. 

Use this resource to:

1. Develop a policy brief to address the structural and social determinants of health and health inequity for children & youth. 
2. Engage practitioners and decision makers across sectors to develop action plans addressing the roots of child and youth wellness. 
3. Inform strategic plans and initiatives for action to promote child and youth health equity. 

 

Related Resources:

Tags: Children & Youth, Healthy public policy, Structural determinants, Participate in policy development, Academic Institution, Report / Document