Tuesday, April 18, 2017 1–2:30 p.m. EDT
Webinar: Taking action on the root cause: Inadequate income and food insecurity
![]()
Food insecurity has physical, social, and mental health consequences. The level of household food insecurity is not only an indicator of how well adults and children are doing economically, it is also a social determinant of health equity. As the root cause of food insecurity is poverty, it would seem that the solutions would be income-focused. Yet public health practice is often focused on food skills and charity program models, which provide food access and support but do not address the material deprivation that creates food insecurity.
This webinar will focus on inadequate income as the root cause of food insecurity, and actions public health professionals can take to shift practice beyond food-focused initiatives and towards income-based policy solutions. We will hear about the role of public health in social justice issues, and what public health programs that address the root causes of food insecurity can look like. We will learn about the role public health can play in calculating a basic income rate and advocating for income-based policy change. We will also hear about examples of public health working in partnership with community organizations to identify and address risk factors for food insecurity in vulnerable neighborhoods. Guest experts will explore practical considerations for public health practice across professional disciplines, as well as “take home actions” for participants to consider in their daily practice.
Presenters:
- Tracy Woloshyn, Public Health Dietitian, York Region Public Health Services (Ontario)
- Christine Johnson, Health Equity Lead, Nova Scotia Health Authority
- Meghan Martin, Community Health Specialist, Fraser Health Authority (British Columbia)
Facilitator: Dianne Oickle, Knowledge Translation Specialist, NCCDH
Resources:
For more information on this webinar, please contact Dianne Oickle, Knowledge Translation Specialist, NCCDH.
