Access to hygiene is more than a matter of cleanliness—it’s central to health, dignity, and inclusion. Yet, across Canada and many Western nations, systemic gaps in hygiene access persist, especially among those experiencing homelessness, poverty, or displacement. While these nations have robust healthcare infrastructures, hygiene inequality remains a largely overlooked public health issue.
In this post, we examine how governments, healthcare systems, shelters, and community organizations in Canada and Europe are working to break down these barriers—and where Health Through Hygiene fits in.
The Problem: Hygiene Poverty in High-Income Nations
Hygiene poverty refers to the inability to afford and access basic hygiene products—like soap, toothpaste, menstrual products, and deodorant. Nations, such as Canada, which are often classified as “high-income”, still have severe challenges in the fight against hygiene poverty. In Canada, this disproportionately affects low-income households, certain immigrant/racialized groups, youth, and unhoused populations.
A 2023 report by Plan International Canada found that one in four Canadian women have had to choose between purchasing menstrual products and other essential items like food or rent¹.
In the UK, a 2022 Hygiene Bank report revealed that 3.2 million adults had experienced hygiene poverty, with people skipping hygiene items to afford essentials like food and heating².
These challenges have far-reaching implications—not only for physical health, but also for mental well-being, employability, and social participation.
Tackling the Hygiene Gap: Multi-Level Solutions
Government-Level Action: Embedding Hygiene in Public Policy
Western governments are beginning to recognize hygiene as a public health necessity:
Scotland became the first country in the world to make period products free for all who need them, through the Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Act in 2020. This bold move made headlines globally and is a blueprint for policy-led solutions to hygiene poverty³.
In Canada, the federal government launched the Menstrual Equity Fund, a $25 million pilot program aimed at improving access to period products among vulnerable populations⁴.
France and New Zealand have implemented similar policies to offer free menstrual products in schools, helping reduce absenteeism and stigma among youth.
Healthcare and Hospital-Level Solutions: Integrating Hygiene into Care
Healthcare systems in Western nations often overlook hygiene access as part of preventive care, especially for unhoused individuals. However, certain hospital programs are taking initiative and tackling hygiene poverty.
In Toronto, mobile health units run by Inner City Health Associates bring hygiene kits and services directly to people experiencing homelessness—sometimes alongside flu shots and check-ups⁵.
In Norway, the Norwegian Institute of Public Health supports initiatives that integrate hygiene access into broader public health strategies⁶.
In Amsterdam, the Public Health Service implements policies to ensure clean public spaces and access to hygiene facilities for all residents⁷.
These efforts highlight how hygiene support can be integrated into health infrastructure, ensuring more dignified and effective care.
Shelter and Organization-Level Action: Meeting Immediate Needs
Community and shelter organizations fill the critical gap between government services and lived reality:
Covenant House Toronto, which supports youth experiencing homelessness, ensures access to showers, hygiene products, and clean clothing—a small but powerful intervention that restores dignity and trust⁸.
In Germany, several cities have installed free “hygiene stations” in public spaces offering menstrual products, soap, and hand sanitizer, often stocked through local partnerships and donations.
The Hygiene Bank UK mobilizes communities to collect and distribute hygiene essentials through a network of local drop-off points—something that mirrors what we’re doing here in Canada⁹.
These programs thrive because they are grassroots, flexible, and deeply connected to local needs.
Where Health Through Hygiene Fits In
At Health Through Hygiene, we recognize that systemic change takes time—but immediate needs can’t wait. That’s why our organization collects donated hygiene products and partners with shelters like Covenant House Toronto to ensure at-risk individuals—particularly youth—have access to essentials like soap, toothbrushes, deodorant, and menstrual products.
By working with both donors and community organizations, we act as a bridge—turning community goodwill into direct impact for vulnerable groups. In doing so, we’re part of a growing movement across Canada and other nations to treat hygiene as a right, not a privilege.
Final Thoughts: Hygiene Access as a Cornerstone of Health Equity
Many countries often pride themselves on universal health care, but that promise falls short when hygiene is excluded. Hygiene poverty is a quiet crisis—but it’s not invisible. With the right policies, community support, and awareness, it’s also solvable.
Whether it’s by passing menstrual equity legislation, integrating hygiene access into health care delivery, or supporting grassroots efforts, there are many ways to create a cleaner, healthier, and more dignified world for all.
References
- Plan International Canada. (2023). Period poverty in plain sight. Retrieved from https://plancanada.ca/en-ca/about-us/media-centre/period-poverty-in-plain-sight
- The Hygiene Bank. (2022). Hygiene Poverty 2022. Retrieved from https://thehygienebank.com/hygiene-poverty-2022/
- BBC News. (2022). Period poverty: Scotland first in world to make period products free. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-51629880
- Government of Canada. (2023). Menstrual Equity Fund. Retrieved from https://www.canada.ca/en/women-gender-equality/funding/menstrual-equity-fund.html
- Inner City Health Associates. (n.d.). Programs. Retrieved from https://www.icha-toronto.ca/programs
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health. (n.d.). Divisions and departments. Retrieved from https://www.fhi.no/en/ab/departments-and-centres/
- Public Health Service of Amsterdam. (n.d.). About the Public Health Service of Amsterdam. Retrieved from https://www.ggd.amsterdam.nl/english/
- Covenant House Toronto. (n.d.). Get Help. Retrieved from https://covenanthousetoronto.ca/get-help/
- The Hygiene Bank. (n.d.). How we work. Retrieved from https://thehygienebank.com/who-we-are/how-we-work/
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