Quality of life index shows things on the decline in Quinte

Belleville - Unemployment, increased social assistance payments and low child birth weight are all indicators the quality of life in the Quinte area is on the decline. The Community Development council of Quinte (CDC) recently released a report blaming the erosion of regional economic and social conditions for the drop. Over the last year and a half the CDC, in partnership with a number of provincial agencies, has been establishing a Quality of Life index for use in Ontario communities. The test uses 12 indicators from health, economic, social and environmental sectors with the recent quality of life index comparing findings from last year with 1990. "Our findings clearly indicate that our communities have some very real issues that must be addressed if we want to maintain a high quality of life," CDC chair and co-chair of the Social Planning Network of Ontario Scott Henderson says. "The index reveals the economic reality for our region is poor and that there is a strong relationship between the economy and the need for improved social programs.

The statistics indicate that there were fewer people working, and larger numbers of people who were unemployed in 1997 than 1990. Likewise there were greater numbers of people in receipt of social assistance at the end of 1997 than there were in 1990." Fewer people committing suicide and less waste going to landfill offer a few bright spots. "Results identify the strengths and weaknesses within communities," CDC executive director Roni Summers-Wickens said in a press release. "While on the one hand, the fact that the environment scores well is good for community, information about the number of babies born weighing less than 2,500 grams (5.5 pounds) and high unemployment figures is very disturbing," she says. "Does this tell us that our community has placed a greater emphasis on protecting the environment than we have on preventing the birth of babies who are at risk of illness and life-long health difficulties or creating jobs and income opportunities for the people that live here? "This index clearly reinforces what we already know about the relationship between income, food and health. It's also obvious to me, based on this report…that the need for food security initiatives like the CDC's Good Food Box, Good Food Lunch Box and Collective Kitchens Programs is continuing to grow."

The index also provides a tool to measure human and social development comparative to other areas. The CDC expects to release part two of its report later this spring comparing Quinte's quality of life index with other Ontario Communities. The index was created by the CDC, the Ontario Social Development Council, the Social Planning Network of Ontario, the Centre for Health Promotions at the University of Toronto and the Ontario Healthy Communities Coalition.