Preventative Action: Learning From the Death of Gabriel Magalhaes
Gabriel Magalhaes, a sixteen-year old boy had just spent his afternoon with some friends at the Eaton Centre in Toronto with his friends. While on his way home, he was fatally stabbed at a subway station in what Toronto Police describe as an unprovoked attack.
“My feelings are all over the place…but right now, I blame the system”
Gabriel’s mother spoke out regarding the incident, saying the system is at fault.
“It’s way deeper than getting some security guards at the subway on the streets. We need proper supports in place.”
In the shadow of her son’s tragic death, Gabriel’s mother is urging government officials to take action and improve the social determinants of health in Canada. She’s vocalizing what the healthcare community has known for a long time. Systemic social issues are at the root of the problem and addressing them can save lives.
Social determinants of health (SDH) are defined as non-medical factors that influence health outcomes. The conditions in which one is born, grows up, works in and the systems that influence their life are all determinants of their health.
Putting aside these individuals’ heinous actions, we need to reflect on their situation. How did the system fail them to the point of multiple suicide attempts and substance abuse? Why were they unable to receive the care that was clearly needed?
The immediate response following Gabriel’s death was added security in the area, but while reactive measures such as law enforcement and healthcare services are important, proactive and preventative measures are equally critical to addressing the root causes of these issues.
What exactly are these supports that are needed and how can they be effectively implemented to prevent any more tragic deaths?
Addressing Income Inequality
Studies have shown that individuals in low income households are more likely to experience poor health outcomes and engage in criminal activity. To address this issue, Canadian government bodies could implement policies that reduce income inequality, such as increasing the minimum wage and implementing progressive tax policies. Additionally, targeted support for low-income families such as affordable housing and food security programs could help to address the root causes of poverty.
Investing in Education
Education is another critical factor in development that can impact both health and crime outcomes. By investing in formal education programs, particularly for marginalized communities, governments can provide individuals with the tools and resources they need to improve living outcomes. This could include programs to improve literacy rates, support for vocational training, and increased funding for schools in low-income areas. The results of an increasingly educated population have been linked with significant decreases in crime rates.
Community Engagement
Engaging with communities is an important proactive measure that can help prevent crime and improve health outcomes. This might include programs that promote community cohesion, such as community sports and recreation programs, as well as outreach initiatives to connect individuals with healthcare and social services. Similarly, local law enforcement should strive to build critical relationships with community residents to improve community safety and satisfaction.
Mental Health and Addiction Support
Mental health and addiction issues are often linked to both crime and poor health outcomes. Those lacking strong social relationships and support systems are more likely to succumb to drug abuse, which in turn can contribute to further stigmatization of these individuals. For example a substance abuser seeking medical attention may not receive adequate support as providers fear that they may only be seeking more substances. By investing in mental health and addiction support services, governments can help to address the root causes of these issues. This might look like additional funding for addiction treatment programs, increased accessibility to counselling services, and support for stigma reduction initiatives.
“Empty words make me really angry… how about real action.”
Proactive measures are critical in addressing the negative effects of certain social determinants of health. By investing in policies and programs that address these underlying social issues, governments can help to create a more equitable and safe society. While these measures will require significant investment and collaboration between government bodies, community organizations, and healthcare providers, they offer a promising path forward to address some of the most pressing social and healthcare challenges of our time. I hope that the loss of Gabriel’s life sparks further action, not just debate, to improve accessibility to support systems. Only after these efforts can we hope to build a society in which young adults can thrive and become productive members of society.
