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EducationThere is a strong relationship between health and level of education.Individuals with higher levels of education tend to have better health.There is also a substantial body of evidence indicating that children whoparticipate in high-quality early childhood education and care programsexperience a range of short and long-term health and educationalbenefits. 97People with higherlevels of educationtend to have betterhealthEducation affects health through other factors such as income,employment and working conditions. Education can increaseopportunities for employment and income security as well as upwardsocio-economic mobility. Education can also increase the likelihood ofattaining an occupation with higher status, greater autonomy and controlin decision-making, greater job security, and safe and non-hazardousworking conditions. Education can also influence health by providinggreater access to and understanding of information regarding healthpromoting choices and behaviours. It can also increase one’s ability tooptimize use of health services. 98Education is considered one of the best investments in human capital anddevelopment. Economists and business leaders have long recognized theimportance of human capital for economic growth. Investments in earlychildhood education and care programs, in particular, are considered tobe one of the most cost-effective human capital interventions. Theirimportance for a productive workforce and prosperous economy has beenrecognized by organizations such as the World Bank 99 and theOrganization for Economic Co-operation and Development. 100 Suchinvestment has economic, fiscal and social returns such as greatersuccess at school and higher graduation rates, higher employmentearning, better health outcomes, reduced social assistance dependency,lower rates of crime, greater government revenues and lowerexpenditures. 101 The provision of child care also contributes to theeconomy by enabling parents’ participation in the labour force.Food SecurityA nutritious diet and adequate food supply are central for good health.Food security means having the physical, social and economic access tosufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet dietary needs and foodpreferences that allow for an active and healthy life. 102 Food insecurity isthe inadequate or insecure access to food in the context of financialconstraints. 103 In Canada, food insecurity is more prevalent in urbanareas compared to rural areas. 104 In Toronto, 10.8% of householdsreported moderate or severe food insecurity. 105Food insecurity has been associated with a range of poor physical andmental health outcomes such as lower self-rated health, restricted activityand multiple chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, highblood pressure, food allergies, and major depression and distress. 106 Poornutrition in childhood has been associated with long-term physiologicalHealthy Toronto by Design | Toronto Public Health, October 201118