Gaps in health of rich, poor huge in Saskatchewan

"Saskatoon and Regina have some of the biggest gaps in health between the rich and the poor compared to other major cities across the country, a new report says. The Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) report, published Monday, found Regina and Saskatoon are repeatedly ranked in first and second place for the biggest differences in hospitalization rates between the cities' richest and poorest citizens, particularly in the areas of substance abuse, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), diabetes, mental health problems and vehicle collisions. Mark Lemstra, senior research epidemiologist for the Saskatoon Health Region, says unless governments take steps to reduce burdens on people with low socioeconomic status, the poor will become sicker and the middle class and rich will be increasingly healthy in comparison" - Star Phoenix