Social Paediatrics in Saskatoon in Association with St. Mary's

shifts the odds toward more adverse developmental outcomes. Inadequate ageappropriate
screening as part of routine paediatric primary care, lack of
continuity of care, lack of resources and accessibility within this social context
contribute heavily to poor developmental outcomes.
3) Medical Diagnoses/problems:
o Obesity, asthma, chronic skin diseases, and infectious diseases.
o The spectrum of medical diagnoses partially reflect the environment in which
children/youth in low-income Saskatoon live:
o Lack of adequate affordable nutrition
o Exercise facilities and recreational opportunities
o Inadequate/substandard housing and overcrowding are important
contributors to morbidity and are directly related to these diagnoses
Challenges:
1. Inadequate Resources:
a) Human Resources:
i. Paediatricians - in order to expand to more schools and continue meeting the
complex demands of children/youth and families, we need to increase the number
of paediatricians working within our school-based clinics. The recognition that
some of the newer morbidities facing our healthcare system is closely tied to the
social determinants of health; that the burden of disease is increased in
© Greater Saskatoon Catholic School Division 2011 13