A new report from Ontario’s  chief medical officer of health finds that less affluent Ontarians live an average of 4.5 fewer years than people earning higher incomes.

Dr. Arlene King says that reality must be acknowledged and addressed more directly in health policy and health service planning and delivery.

And King says there are  one and a half times more episodes of mental illness and addictions – than all cancers combined.

The report examined data from 2011 on a variety of occurrences, including: smoking and alcohol use during pregnancy, mental health and hospitalizations for falls involving seniors.

King’s report did not make any specific recommendations on how to reduce the link between income and overall health, but it did suggest that  co-ordinated, government-wide approaches are needed.