Notes:In the 30 years following the end of the Second World War, there was a markedimprovement in the health status of Canada and other western, industrializedcountries. This improvement occurred for two main reasons:First, mandatory public health measures, including mass immunization, sewagedisposal, water purification and the mandatory pasteurization of milk,substantially decreased the incidence of communicable diseases. (24)Second, years of advocacy efforts by labour unions, community activists andprogressive political movements led to the development of the ‘social safety net’and other economic reforms. These reforms enabled substantial progresstowards the elimination of poverty, poor housing and unhealthy living conditions.