Funding outcome

Gaps in health exist due to social inequities such as income inequality. High schools may protect teenagers from the impact of these social inequities. However, difficulty in obtaining housing, work, and postsecondary education may occur after high school and create social health gaps. These changes may also produce gender gaps in health, as women are more likely to experience inequitable access to social factors than men. The risk of poor health may be worse for women living in areas with poor societal health (greater income inequality). Research must include data on health behaviours and outcomes during and after high school to look at changes in this transition period. Currently, the Cannabis, Obesity, Mental health, Physical activity, Alcohol, Smoking, and Sedentary behaviour (COMPASS) study operates in high schools across British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec. COMPASS surveys teenagers yearly about their health behaviours and outcomes starting in grade 9. However, after high school, survey data is not collected. My research will recruit grade 12 students from the COMPASS study to complete more surveys after high school. I will link survey data to data from the Canadian Census to examine how social factors and societal health impact health behaviours and outcomes during and after high school. I will also look at whether women experience adverse social factors after high school and if this is worse among those living in areas with poor societal health. Findings may help prevent unhealthy behaviours and outcomes in teenagers during and after high school. They could also help guide interventions to prevent women from facing adverse social factors.