These reports provide a picture of Given the importance of the early years, children from birth to six years of age the health of were chosen as the focus for these reports. [...] Effective health and social promote the health policies and programs are required to promote the health of young children of young children and their families. [...] The series of reports on the health of young children in Toronto is intended to assist not only TPH and Toronto’s Board of Health, but other City services and community partners and agencies that work with TPH to improve the health outcomes of young children in Toronto. [...] The Health of Toronto’s Young Children: Volume 1 – Setting the Context 13 The health of immigrant and refugee children and their families is related to premigration conditions (urbanization, westernization, physical and social conditions); reasons for immigration (war, famine, family reunification, economic); the migration process (type of travel, length of process); and settlement experience. [...] The increase in women participating in the workforce has also reduced the likelihood of having larger families.44 The Health of Toronto’s Young Children: Volume 1 – Setting the Context 15 Age of Parents Since the 1960s, women in Canada have been having children at a later age.42 The average parental age in Toronto is rising and the number and proportion The average age of of children born to young