Social Determinants of Health

Higher annual income was protective against pain-related disability, with those earning CAD$70,000 or more having about one third the likelihood of those earning under CAD$5,000. Higher education was protective against pain-related disability, with university graduates showing less than half the prevalence of those with grade eight or lower education. Limited financial resources can restrict access to stable housing, healthcare, transportation, and other supports needed to manage pain. Part-time workers were more likely to report pain-related disability than full-time workers, with a prevalence ratio of 1.77. Housing dissatisfaction was associated with more than twice the likelihood of pain-related disability compared with being very satisfied with housing. Being outside the labour force was associated with more than twice the likelihood of pain-related disability compared with being employed. Financial insecurity showed one of the strongest associations with pain-related disability, with people whose household income was insufficient being three times more likely to report it.