Chasing the Wave

The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Health Canada.

Également disponible en français sous le titre Entraîné par la vague: Survol de l’incidence des tendances démographiques, économiques et sociales sur l’avenir des jeunes du Canada atlantique.

Contents may not be reproduced for commercial purposes, but any other reproduction, with acknowledgements, is encouraged. Please credit the source as follows:

Chasing the Wave: Overview of the Impact of Demographic, Economic and Social Trends on the Future of Youth in Atlantic Canada. 2000. Produced by Joan M. Campbell for the Population and Public Health Branch, Atlantic Regional Office, Health Canada.

For more information contact:
Atlantic Regional Office
Population and Public Health Branch
Health Canada
1802 - 1505 Barrington Street
Halifax, NS B3J 3Y6
Tel: (902) 426-2700
Fax: (902) 426-9689

© HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN IN RIGHT OF CANADA (2000) as represented by the Minister of Health.

CHASING THE WAVE:

Overview of the Impact of Demographic, Economic and Social Trends on the Future of Youth in Atlantic Canada

Prepared for the Atlantic Regional Office, Population and Public Health Branch, Health Canada by Joan M. Campbell, August 2000.

PDF Format (405 KB)

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This document was written by Joan Campbell under contract to Health Canada. Fiona Chin-Yee provided expert guidance.

A number of people contributed in substantial ways to the preparation of this report. The ongoing interest, useful input and support from the following individuals (who together served as an informal reference group for this work) are gratefully acknowledged: Jennifer Cairns-Burke, Charlottetown Boys and Girls Club; Jasvinder Chana, Population and Public Health Branch, Atlantic region; Barry Chandler, Prince Edward Island Department of Health and Social Services; Ethel Heald, Newfoundland Department of Health and Community Services; Allan MacMullen, Nova Scotia Youth Secretariat; Gisèle McCaie-Burke, New Brunswick Department of Health and Community Services; Stacey McKay, Saint John Teen Resource Centre; Patti Melanson, Mainland South Teen Health Centre, Halifax; and Tim Turner, Brother T.I. Murphy Learning Resource Centre, St. John’s. In addition, helpful advice and information were provided by Jarrod Dobson, Statistics Canada; Katie Gallant, Human Resources and Development Canada; Mike Holden, Atlantic Provinces Economic Council; Andrew Maw, Statistics Canada; Jody McCoy, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Kara McNeil, Nova Scotia Youth Secretariat; Keith Neuman, Corporate Research Associates; Ann Marie Pellerine, Central Region Health Board; and Pierre Turcotte, Statistics Canada

Special thanks are due the 31 young men and women from across the region who shared their views in focus groups and to several youths who read and commented on earlier drafts of this report. Their contributions bring the dry facts alive. Thanks also to Jennifer Cairns-Burke, Barry Chandler, Stacey McKay, Allan McMullen and Tim Turner for leading the focus groups.

The assistance provided by Penny Ormsbee with presentation of data is appreciated.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

POPULATION HEALTH CONCEPTS FOR CONSIDERING IMPACTS ON YOUTH

Protective Factors
Organization of the Report

MEGATRENDS AFFECTING THE LIVES OF YOUTH

Demographic Changes
Economic Changes
Social Changes
Summary of the Megatrends

IMPACTS OF THE MEGATRENDS ON YOUTH

Social and Economic Environment
Education and Training
Physical Environment
Health and Social Services

FOUNDATIONS FOR A YOUTH-FRIENDLY FUTURE

Challenges Facing Atlantic Youth in the Next 10 to 20 Years
Resources for a Bright Future

PLANNING AND PUBLIC POLICY TO SUPPORT YOUTH

Appendix 1: Focus Group Participants
Appendix 2: Population Pyramids
References
Endnotes

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1:		Conceptual Framework for Youth Health Status
Figure 2:		Percentage of Youth and Seniors in the Atlantic Region Population, 1996-2021
Figure 3:		Percentage of Families with Children Under 18 Living in Poverty in Canada and the Atlantic Provinces

Please note that this document was published by Health Canada prior to the announcement of the establishment of the Public Health Agency of Canada on September 24, 2004. Any reference to Health Canada should be assumed to be to the Public Health Agency of Canada.