Many of us are aware that where we live can influence our physical and mental health. There is strong evidence to suggest that a higher social and economic status is associated with greater overall health. In an effort to provide better lives for our families and ourselves, we work harder so that we can reside in communities with access to better schools, healthcare, public safety and healthy food.
Dr. Theresa Tam, the Chief Public Health Officer of Canada, recently published a report on the State of Public Health in Canada 2017 – Designing Healthy Living. According to the report, 80% of Canadians live in urban or suburban areas. People who live in urban areas generally tend to have lower mortality rates but do tend to have higher rates of cancer, infectious disease, stress and a weaker sense of community belonging.
There has been a notable increase in Canadians who report they are obese, living with diabetes or a mood disorder. Canadians aged 20 years or older living with diabetes has increased from 6% in 2000 to 10% in 2011. The percentage of Canadians who are obese has increased from 21% in 2003 to 25% in 2012. The report reveals that the percentage of Canadians diagnosed with a mood disorder has increased from 5% in 2003 to 8% in 2014. The report also reveals rising rates of Canadians living with other chronic diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease, which are the leading causes of death in Canada.
Findings suggest that these rising rates can be reduced by designing healthy communities that promote daily physical activity and easy access to healthier food options. Surprisingly, in 2013 only 10% of children and 20% of adults met the Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines. The report focuses on building neighbourhoods that promote physical and mental health by influencing physical activity, promoting easier access to healthy food, crime prevention and fostering supportive environments.
We often find that we are too involved with our daily responsibilities – work, family and friends – that looking after ourselves is last on our priority list. It is easy to become entangled in the “rat race” that is everyday life in order to provide the best life for our families. In doing so, our personal health is often neglected, compounding the stresses that we experience day to day.
In the present day, there is a greater awareness of the link between our financial health and our physical and mental health. The report indicates that in 2014, 23% of Canadians 15 years old and older stated that they had experienced quite a lot of stress that year. Many of us find that a lack of financial security leads to excessive stress in our lives. Individuals will work harder to attain their financial goals, thereby neglecting their personal physical and mental health.
A financial advisor can work with you to achieve your financial goals, without compromising your physical and mental health. By building a financial plan and providing you and your family with a financial safety net, together we can set goals that can attribute to lowering stress levels so that we do not make our primary focus work, rather, we can focus on matters of higher priority such as our physical and mental well-being.
You work tirelessly to build your wealth— let a financial advisor help you reap the benefits with good health. ( Designing Health Living – Industry Canada )