The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
The Public Health Agency of Canada has released Young People in Canada: Their Health and Well-Being, which highlights the importance of young people being well-integrated socially and having supportive relationships and environments at home and at school. "This report contributes to that by highlighting not only positive and negative behavioural trends among youth but also how such behaviours are shaped by family, peers and socio-economic status," said Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh. Some findings indicate positive changes in the behaviours and attitudes of young people. For example, the majority of young people reported good emotional health and smoking rates have declined among both males and females. However, challenges remain including high rates of obesity, sedentary behaviour, marijuana use, stress related to relationships, and dissatisfaction with school. "The cost to individuals, and more broadly to society as a whole, can be substantial when young people fail to achieve their optimal development, and as a result, fail to reach adulthood as healthy, resilient, socially responsible and engaged citizens," said Dr. Carolyn Bennett, Minister of State (Public Health).
