The latest report on the well-being of children in rich countries ranks Canada 17th out of 29, a score that hasn’t budged in almost a decade, according to United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
The country scored “below average” grades for child poverty and obesity and children’s life satisfaction, says the report to be released Wednesday.
The Netherlands ranked first overall, followed by Norway and Iceland. Romania was last.
“The fact that our children rank in the bottom half when compared to other industrialized nations simply isn’t good enough,” said UNICEF Canada President David Morley.
“It is clear Canada can do better. Protecting and promoting the well-being of our children must become a national priority.”
UNICEF Canada is calling for a National Children’s Commissioner to report annually on the state of the country’s kids and for every level of government to provide more information on the amount of money they spend on children.
The report is an update of UNICEF’s first attempt in 2007 to compare child well-being in countries with membership in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). That year, Canada ranked 12th out of 21 developed countries.
“Considering the size and general health of our economy when compared to the difficult recessions other countries in this report have experienced, it is clear Canada is not doing enough and needs to invest more in our children,” Morley said.
The latest report focuses on five areas including health and safety; behaviour and risk; material well-being; education; housing and environment.
Canada scored above average in housing and environment (11th) and education (14th). But it ranked a “troubling” 27th in health and safety; 16th in behaviours and risk; and 15th in material well-being.
Canada’s relatively high rates of infant mortality for a developed country and relatively low immunization rates are to blame for Canada’s low score for health and safety, the report says.
Canada’s infant mortality rate of 5 deaths for every 1,000 live births includes deaths of extremely premature babies initially kept alive by advanced technology. In other countries these babies may not be classified as “live births,” the report explains. However, infant mortality rates vary significantly by province and are notably higher in Aboriginal communities, suggesting room for improvement, it adds.
Our relatively low rate of immunization coverage — only Canada, Denmark and Austria are have rates below 90 percent — is likely a reflection of public fears from discredited research linking immunization and autism, the report notes. However, first-class immunization programs require a well-informed public, it adds.
Canadian children’s views about their own lives and priorities is a particular concern, Morley said. Although almost 84 per cent rate their life satisfaction as fairly high — close to average among industrialized nations — Canadian children rate their relationships with classmates, mothers and fathers much lower. Canada’s ranking falls to 25th when children are queried on whether their classmates are “kind and helpful” and whether their mothers and fathers are “east to talk to,”Morley said.
Other areas of concern include high rates of obesity (27th), high rates of bullying (21st), low rates of children aged 15 to 19 participating in higher education (24th) and high rates of cannabis use (29th), Morley said.
Canada’s relative child poverty rate of 14 per cent puts it at the bottom third of nations, according to the report. Half of the countries have relative child poverty rates of 10 per cent or less.
“While only one view of child poverty, this indicator is significant because it shows the proportion of children who are to some extent excluded from the advantages and ‘normal’ living conditions of children in their society,” the report says.
Child well-being in rich countries
Overall rank from 1st to 29th
Netherlands
Norway
Iceland
Finland
Sweden
Germany
Luxembourg
Switzerland
Belgium
Ireland
Denmark
Slovenia
France
Czech Republic
Portugal
United Kingdom
Canada
Austria
Spain
Hungary
Poland
Italy
Estonia
Slovakia
Greece
United States
Lithuania
Latvia
Romania
Original Article
Source: thestar.com
Author: Laurie Monsebraaten
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