Marvin Caplan: Determinants of Health

Marvin Caplan is a member of the Rotary Club of Hamilton, an ex city councillor, and past president of the Social Planning and Research Council. While on city council he was dedicated to public health both locally and provincially, starting the Settlement and Integration Services Organization and the Community Action Program for Children.

Marvin believes Ontario does not have a health care system; rather, it has an illness care system where solving problems is rewarded instead of preventing problems. He says money determines health. Not provincial money but an individual's personal economic standing in the community. Children born into intergenerational poverty have a lower self image than children born into wealthier families where a positive self image has more to do with good health and success.

Poorer children never learn to "swim". Not swimming in the literal sense but acquiring the tools to positively navigate society. He says there is a correlation between social issues and poverty. He would rather see the provincial government put more money into teaching children to read so that when they are adults they would be more likely to get higher paying jobs and move out of poverty. Again - prevent problems rather than fix problems.