Answer to test questions. Mathematics & Economics Essay

Question 1: Describe a specific targeted or non-targeted intervention in Canada and discuss the efficacy of this policy/program on its intended population.  Make sure you use class concepts to justify your answers. In addition, you may also use other references/resources of your choosing that were not presented in the course.
A specific targeted intervention in Canada is the 12-month Healthy Foods North nutrition intervention program that was established as a channel of assistance to the people of Inuit and Inuvialuit in the quest to improve their diet (Kolahdooz et al., 2014). The targeted supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) was primarily meant to mitigate against the rise of chronic disease among this population. The abrupt change in diet patterns and diet quality as a result of rapid socioeconomic and cultural shifts have led to the occurrence of nutrition-related chronic illnesses such as obesity and hypertension. Estimations indicate that 35% of Inuvialuit and 30% of Inuit people that are over about 15 years have experienced no less than one chronic health issue in 2008 (Kolahdooz et al., 2014). This program was combined with various social and ecological approaches. Consequently, there were crucial steps that were taken to success of this project. Stakeholders begun more engaging actions that were hinged on promoting healthier food preparation methods. Alternatively, the discouraged, which can be said to be discouraging, the intake of certain food groups, mainly harmful drinks and high-fat meats bought from stores. The people were educated on the many benefits that are connected with natural foods as well as the healthier options that are available in stores. In essence, the goal was to decrease the supply of the unhealthy foods that placed the lives of the indigenous people at risk for the healthy ones that alleviated this risk and even better, strengthened their immune systems. Besides, the targeted population was advised for maintaining their traditions, which included but not limited to respect for food, survival from the land.
While both targeted and non-targeted government programs aim to address the issue of food insecurity in Canada, their efficacy largely depends on their effects on the poor in society. Targeted programs are often restricted to specific groups while non-targeted interventions have an unrestricted coverage. Examples of targeted interventions include supplementary feeding programs to vulnerable populations such as women and children and the subsidization of foods that are only available and sold in certain areas in Canada (Module 6 –Introduction, 2020). Targeted interventions are supported when governments are facing fiscal constraints. Although targeted programs are often said to be costly socially, politically, and economically, the costs are reduced through general policies of subsidies on foods that tend to be prominent among low income groups. In economic terms, food subsidies can result in a downward shift of the supply curve and thus reduce the price of food stuff to low-income groups at the new equilibrium price. Changes in prices result in both the income and substitution effects. For instance, if the price of rice is subsidized, there will be more money available in...