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Child Health & Safety A Concern According To UNICEF

Wednesday, 10 April 2013 10:55

Canada ranks 17th out of 29 so-called wealthy nations when it comes to the well-being of children, according to a new study from UNICEF, the United Nations children's agency. UNICEF graded the 29 nations in five categories and Canada's best ranking was 11th in the area of housing and environment. The U.N. agency placed Canada 14th in educational well-being, 15th in material well-being, 16th in behaviour and risks and a low 27th in health and safety. Canada scored third-best on smoking, with UNICEF saying only four percent of children aged 11, 13 and 15 reported smoking at least once a week. The same can't be said for cannabis, with Canada sitting 29th and last with 28 percent of children saying they have used cannabis within the past year. When it comes to obesity, Canada is third from the bottom, with 20.24 percent of children aged 11, 13 and 15 deemed overweight based on the body mass index. When it comes to bullying, a rising issue in the country, Canada ranked a disappointing 21st. 35 percent of children aged 11, 13 and 15 reported being bullied at school at least once in recent months. UNICEF Canada's president and CEO David Morley says Canada can do better, and the well-being of its children must become a national priority.

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