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Health and Wellness

GRANT STORY - KNOW YOUR TOXINS

Good health is just as much about personal choices as it is about doctors and hospitals. Every day we use products that can damage the environment – and ourselves. And sometimes we don’t even know it. CancerSmart, a project of the Labour Environmental Alliance Society, wants labels to identify toxins in common household products. Vancouver Foundation helped fund their work with a $20,000 grant. Because knowledge is the first step to protecting ourselves from harmful toxins.

 

DATA

 

Life expectancy up, especially for men

Life expectancy at birth measures a population’s general state of well-being, and is affected by lifestyle, diet, income, the environment and access to health care. Life expectancies in metro Vancouver increased over the past decade, and ranged between 79 and 84 years in the 2002 to 2006 period, depending on where people live within the region. Life expectancies for men rose by between 2% and 8% between 1996 and 2006, and between 1% and 3% for women. Source

 

Stress levels stable

Stress affects our mental well-being and our capacity to enjoy life. High, sustained stress levels are a factor in many diseases and chronic conditions, often leading to unhealthy behaviours such as smoking or overeating. The proportion of metro Vancouver residents reporting high levels of life stress has stayed essentially the same since 2003, and is marginally above that for Canada overall. Source

 

Physical activity down

We know physical activity is important for health. Nonetheless, only half of metro Vancouverites reported being physically active in 2007 during their leisure time, down from 56% in 2003. In 2007, 56% of Calgarians, 49% of Torontonians, and 44% of Montréalers reported being physically active. Source


Most residents have a regular doctor

Establishing an ongoing relationship with a general practitioner is believed to be important in maintaining health and ensuring appropriate access to health services. Some 88% of metro Vancouver residents report having a regular medical doctor, greater than the national average of 85%, and a figure relatively unchanged since 2003. Source

 

Not everyone is health literate

Health literacy rates show how well we can find and apply health information, from understanding how to follow a prescription to making healthy lifestyle choices. A 2003 survey indicates that most metro Vancouverites can get and use health information at a “minimum” level. However, some of our residents lack the minimum level of health literacy, and would have difficulty following directions on medical labels, for example. Source

KEY INDICATORS

 

Indicators appearing in report

 

  1. Life expectancy up, especially for men (being reported nationally)
  2. Stress levels stable
  3. Physical activity down (being reported nationally)
  4. Most residents have a regular doctor
  5. Not everyone is health literate

 

Additional indicators

 

  1. Deaths Due to Alcohol and Drugs
  2. Deaths Due to Medically Treatable Diseases
  3. Healthy Eating
  4. Infant Mortality Rate
  5. Potential Years of Life Lost
  6. Proportion of Low Birth Weight Babies (being reported nationally)
  7. Self Rated Health and Mental Health Status
  8. Self Reported Chronic conditions

 

 


1. Life Expectancy up, especially for men

Data

Average life expectancies in 2002-2006 ranged between 79 to 84 among metro Vancouver's municipalities. Women throughout the region live longer than men on average; however, life expectancies for males are climbing faster than for women.

Date

1992-96 to 2002-06

Geography

Metro Vancouver

Description

One of the most widely used health indicators, life expectancy at birth is a measure of a population's general state of well-being. The number of years that we can be expected to live is impacted by our lifestyles, diet, wealth, the environment as well as access to health care. Increasing life expectancies suggest that the overall health status of the population is improving. In contrast, differences in life expectancies between populations and decreasing life expectancies highlight inequities and deteriorations in health status and are therefore useful in assessing health services and programs.

Average life expectancies ranged between 79 and 84 within metro Vancouver in the period between 2002-06, depending on location within the region. Life expectancies have increased over the past decade in all areas of the region. However, the increases have been more significant for men than for women. Whereas life expectancies for men rose by between 2% and 7% between 1996 and 2006, the gain for women was only between 1% and 3%.

Life Expectancies for Both Genders in Metro Vancouver by Local Health Area, 1992-96 to 2002-06

 

1992-1996

1997-2001

2001-2005

2002-2006

% Change

1992-2006

Burnaby

79.1

80.5

81.9

81.98

3.6%

Maple Ridge

77.8

78.8

79.4

79.34

2.0%

Coquitlam

78.6

80.2

81.6

81.53

3.7%

Langley

79.2

79.8

80.8

81.04

2.3%

Delta

79.9

81.3

81.2

81.58

2.1%

Surrey

79.3

80.6

80.8

81.15

2.3%

Richmond

81.3

82.4

84.1

84.06

3.4%

Vancouver

77.5

79.6

81.4

81.65

5.4%

North Vancouver

79.7

80.7

82.5

82.44

3.4%

West Vanc-Bowen Isl

80.9

82.9

83.9

83.94

3.8%

Life Expectancies for Males in Metro Vancouver by Local Health Area,

1992-96 to 2002-06

 

1992-1996

1997-2001

2001-2005

2002-2006

% Change

1992-2006

Burnaby

76.1

77.8

79.5

79.72

4.8%

Maple Ridge

75.4

76.8

77.3

77.16

2.3%

Coquitlam

75.8

78.1

79.9

79.94

5.5%

Langley

77.1

77.3

78.4

78.7

2.1%

Delta

77.6

79

79.2

79.67

2.7%

Surrey

76.7

77.4

77.9

78.44

2.3%

Richmond

78.8

80.2

82.3

82.26

4.4%

Vancouver

73.4

76.4

78.8

79.04

7.7%

North Vancouver

77.4

78.8

81

80.74

4.3%

West Vanc-Bowen Isl

78.6

81.1

82.3

82.29

4.7%

Life Expectancies for Females in Metro Vancouver by Local Health Area, 1992-96 to 2002-06

 

1992-1996

1997-2001

2001-2005

2002-2006

% Change

1992-2006

Burnaby

82

83.1

84.1

84.11

2.6%

Maple Ridge

80.3

80.7

81.4

81.49

1.5%

Coquitlam

81.3

82.3

83.2

82.98

2.1%

Langley

81.4

82.2

83

83.24

2.3%

Delta

82.1

83.2

82.8

83.29

1.4%

Surrey

82

83.6

83.6

83.65

2.0%

Richmond

83.5

84.4

85.6

85.63

2.6%

Vancouver

81.9

82.8

84

84.21

2.8%

North Vancouver

81.7

82.5

83.9

83.98

2.8%

West Vanc-Bowen Isl

82.9

84.6

85.3

85.3

2.9%

CMA Comparison

n/a

Data Considerations

n/a

Source

BC Vital Statistics

Link

http://www.vs.gov.bc.ca/stats/annual/2006/index.html

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2. Stress levels stable

Data

Levels of life stress in metro Vancouver were the same in 2007 as they were four years earlier in 2003.

Date

2003,2005,2007

Geography

Metro Vancouver and metro Vancouver Health Service Delivery Areas

Description

Stress is directly related to our mental well-being and our capacity to enjoy life. A high and sustained level of stress is a factor in many diseases and chronic conditions. In many cases, stress also leads people to adopt unhealthy behaviours, such as smoking or overeating.

The Canadian Community Health Survey asks respondents (aged 15 and over) about the level of stress that they experience on most days in their lives. The percentages outlined below reflect the proportion of respondents who reported perceiving that most days in their life were "quite a bit" or "extremely" stressful

The proportion of the population reporting to have high levels of life stress has stayed essentially the same since 2003 among residents of metro Vancouver. However, whereas Vancouverites used to report lower levels of stress than residents in other parts of the province, metro Vancouver has come into line with the BC average and marginally above that for Canada overall.

Geography

2003

2005

2007

Change 2003-2007

Fraser North

26.8%

24.6%

24.6%

-2.2

Fraser South

20.4%

22.3%

25.2%

4.8

Richmond

17.7%

17.9%

17.8%

0.1

Vancouver

21.0%

21.5%

19.4%

-1.6

Metro Vancouver

22.2%

22.3%

22.5%

0.30

British Columbia

24.0%

22.8%

22.4%

-1.60

Canada

21.3%

22.2%

21.0%

-0.30

Proportion of the Population Reporting a High Level of Stress, Canada, BC, Metro Vancouver and Metro Vancouver HSDAs, 2003, 2005, 2007

CMA Comparison

n/a

Data Considerations

n/a

Source

Statistics Canada, Community Health Survey

Link

http://www.geog.uvic.ca /wellness/

http://www.statcan.ca/english/freepub/82-221-XIE/2008001/profiles-en.htm

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3. Physical activity down

Data

Less than half of metro Vancouver residents report to be moderately physically active or active and this proportion of active residents is declining over time.

Date

2003, 2005, 2007

Geography

Metro Vancouver and Metro Vancouver Health Service Delivery Areas

Description

Overweight and obesity have come to be recognized as a major public-health concern, related in part to nutrition, but more directly to levels of physical activity. Physical activity and obesity are central to overall wellness. They are also factors in the development of many chronic diseases.

The Canadian Community Health Surveys questions respondents 12 years and old about the nature and duration of physical activity that they engage in during their leisure-time.

Results from this survey indicate that there has been a drop in the proportion of residents in metro Vancouver that report to be either moderately physically active or active in leisure time between 2003 and 2007. Whereas in 2003, 56% of the population reported to be physically active, in 2007, this proportion dropped to 50%. There is also a lower proportion of physically active residents in metro Vancouver, relative to British Columbia as a whole.

Proportion (%) of the Population Moderately or Physically Active During Leisure-time in Metro Vancouver and Metro Vancouver HSDAs, 2003, 2005, 2007

Geography

2003

2005

2007

Change 2003-2007

Fraser North

56

56.6

50.8

-5.2

Fraser South

57.8

53.6

46.7

-11.1

Richmond

54.7

53.4

46.7

-8

Vancouver

56

55

52.9

-3.1

Metro Vancouver

56.4

54.9

49.8

-6.6

British Columbia

58.1

57.7

53.7

-4.4

While trends of physical activity are usually negatively related to rates of obesity, this is not the case in metro Vancouver. Notwithstanding the declining rates of physical activity in the region, the proportion of adults reporting to be either obese or overweight also decreased since 2003, dropping 2.4 percentage points from 36.9% in 2003 to 34.5% in 2007.

Proportion of Adults Self Reporting to be Overweight or Obese in Metro Vancouver and Metro Vancouver HSDAs, 2003, 2005, 2007

Geography

2003

2005

2007

Change 2003-2007

Fraser North

39.6

39.6

37.2

-2.4

Fraser South

42.5

24.5

39

-3.5

Richmond

32.5

32.5

34.2

1.7

Vancouver

30.1

33.2

27.8

-2.3

Metro Vancouver

36.9

36.8

34.5

-2.4

British Columbia

42.3

42.3

41.2

-1.1

CMA Comparison

Metro Vancouver ranked second behind Calgary for the proportion of the population that is physically active during leisure time amongst other major urban centres in Canada.

Proportion of the Population Moderately or Physically Active During Leisure-time in select HSDAs, 2003, 2005, 2007

CMA

2003

2005

2007

Calgary

57.3

56.6

56.3

Toronto

-

52.3

49.4

Montreal

45.9

47.8

44.1

Vancouver

56.4

54.9

49.8

Vancouver had the lowest percentage of adults who self-reported being overweight or obese amongst major urban centres.

Proportion of Adults Self Reporting to be Overweight or Obese in selected HSDAs, 2003, 2005, 2007

CMA

2003

2005

2007

Calgary

45.5

47.2

47.9

Toronto

-

41.9

35.8

Montreal

43.6

42.5

41.5

Vancouver

30.1

33.2

27.8

Data Considerations

The boundaries of the Health Service Delivery Areas do not correspond exactly to those of the CMA. Data from both North and West Vancouver are missing.

Respondents are classified as active, moderately active or inactive based on an index of average daily physical activity over the past 3 months. For each leisure time physical activity engaged in by the respondent, an average daily energy expenditure is calculated by multiplying the number of times the activity was performed by the average duration of the activity by the energy cost (kilocalories per kilogram of body weight per hour) of the activity. The index is calculated as the sum of the average daily energy expenditures of all activities. Respondents are classified as follows: 3.0 kcal/kg/day or more = physically active; 1.5 to 2.9 kcal/kg/day = moderately active; less than 1.5 kcal per day = inactive.

Obese and overweight classifications are defined based on Body Mass Index (BMI) categories. BMI is a method of classifying body weight according to health risk, calcuated by dividing weight by height. The index is: under 18.5 (underweight); 18.5 to 24.9 (normal weight); 25.0 to 29.9 (overweight); 30.0 to 34.9 (obese-Class I); 35.0 to 39.9 (obese-Class II); 40 or greater (obese - Class III).

Note: 2003 and 2005 obesity data reported in the Vital Signs 2007 Report only included the proportions of the population who classified as obese. This year, we are reporting on the proportions that are overweight or obese, as both are at increased risk of health problems.

Source

Statistics Canada, Canadian Community Health Survey Table 105-0502

Link

www.statcan.ca
     

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4. Most residents have a regular doctor

Data

88% of metro Vancouver residents reported having a regular medical doctor in 2007 and 81% had been in contact with a medical doctor at least once in the past year.

Date

2003-2007

Geography

Metro Vancouver

Description

Establishing an ongoing relationship with a regular medical doctor is believed to be important in maintaining health and ensuring appropriate access to health services.

The proportion of metro Vancouver residents with a regular medical doctor (88%) is on par with the provincial average and above the national average of 85%. This proportion remained relatively the same in the region between 2003 and 2007. At the provincial and national levels, however, this proportion has decreased by 1.6% and 1.2% respectively since 2003.

Proportion of the Population with a Regular Medical Doctor in Canada, BC, Metro Vancouver and Metro Vancouver HSDAs, 2003, 2005, 2007

 

2003

2005

2007

% Change 2003-2007

Fraser North

88.1%

88.7%

89.5%

1.6%

Fraser South

88.5%

87.4%

88.8%

0.3%

Richmond

95.2%

94.3%

90.1%

-5.4%

Vancouver

85.4%

86.1%

84.3%

-1.3%

Metro Vancouver

88.0%

88.0%

87.7%

-0.3%

British Columbia

89.3%

89.0%

87.9%

-1.6%

Canada

85.8%

85.6%

84.8%

-1.2%

The proportion of metro Vancouver residents that had seen a doctor in the past year (81%) was higher than the BC and Canada averages of 80% and 79% respectively. In this case, however, the decreasing trend seen provincially and nationally is being experienced in metro Vancouver as well. Between 2003 and 2007, the proportion in contact with a medical doctor in the past year dropped by 1.8% in metro Vancouver, by 2.8% in BC and 1.8% in Canada overall.

Proportion of the Population in Contact with a Medical Doctor in the Past Year in Canada, BC, Metro Vancouver and Metro Vancouver HSDAs, 2003, 2005, 2007

 

2003

2005

2007

% Change 2003-2007

Fraser North

83.0%

82.6%

81.5%

-1.8%

Fraser South

83.5%

84.1%

81.4%

-2.5%

Richmond

83.3%

86.6%

81.0%

-2.8%

Vancouver

80.2%

81.95

79.5%

-0.9%

Metro Vancouver

82.3%

83.2%

80.8%

-1.8%

British Columbia

82.6%

82.7%

80.3%

-2.8%

Canada

80.0%

80.2%

78.6%

-1.8%

CMA Comparison

n/a

Data Considerations

The boundaries of the Health Service Delivery Areas do not correspond exactly to those of the CMA. Data from both North and West Vancouver are missing.

Source

Statistics Canada. Canadian Community Health Survey, 2003; 2005; 2007

Link

http://www.statcan.ca/english/freepub/82-221-XIE/2008001/profiles-en.htm

^ to top

5. Not everyone is health literate

Data

The mean health literacy rate in metro Vancouver was 275.5 in 2003.

Date

2003

Geography

Metro Vancouver

Description

Health literacy refers to the skills we use to access, understand and apply information to our health. These literacy skills are used for a wide range of daily tasks, such as making healthy lifestyle choices, finding and understanding health and safety information, and locating proper health services.

Using data from the 2003 International Adult Literacy and Life Skills Survey (IALSS) conducted by Statistics Canada, the Canadian Council on Learning has calculated health literacy proficiency scores for adults at the city, provincial and national level. Scores were derived based on information on a wide range of health literacy tasks in five domains: health promotion (60 items), health protection (65 items), disease prevention (18 items), health-care and disease management (16 items), and system navigation (32 items).

Scores, ranging from 0 to 500, have been characterized using five levels that capture the progression of complexity and difficulty. Level 1 (scores 0 to 225) represents the lowest level of proficiency; Level 5 (scores 375 to 500) represents the highest. Level 3 proficiency (scores 276 to 325) is considered as a minimum standard to access, understand and use information for health.

Metro Vancouver health literacy scores were higher than both provincial and national averages. Overall, health proficiency in the region is in the bottom end of the Level 3 range. However, a map depicting the various levels of literacy among residents within the region shows a considerable proportion of the population has a health literacy status of Level 2 (scores 226 to 275) or below.

Health Literacy Scores for Canada, BC and Metro Vancouver, 2003

 

Metro Vancouver

BC

Canada

Mean Health Literacy Rate

275.5

262.7

255.7

The map below shows the proportion of the metro Vancouver population with health literacy scores of Level 2 or less. The red shaded areas indicate those neighbourhoods in which more than 80% of the population has a health proficiency Level 2 or below.

CMA Comparison

Metro Vancouver has a higher average health literacy rate than other major CMAs.

Health Literacy Scores in Metro Vancouver and other selected CMAs, 2003

 

Metro Vancouver

Montreal

Toronto

Ottawa

Calgary

Mean Health Literacy rate

275.5

256.1

247.1

266.7

268.9

Data Considerations

n/a

Source

Canadian Council on Learning, Health literacy report

Link

http://www.ccl-cca.ca/NR/rdonlyres/CB3135D3-5493-45FA-B870-1A3D3ABD6EC4/0/HealthLiteracyinCanada.pdf

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6. Deaths Due to Alcohol and Drugs

Data

The rate of deaths from alcohol was slightly lower in 2006 than the average of the preceding five years; however there was an increase in drug-related deaths.

Date

2001-2005, 2006

Geography

Metro Vancouver

Description

Information on the rate of deaths due to alcohol and drugs is important to understanding our regional wellbeing in that these deaths are considered largely preventable. There are also significant health, social and economic costs associated with drug and alcohol abuse in our communities.

The Standardized Mortality Ratio (SMR) for deaths due to alcohol and drugs represents the ratio of observed to expected deaths from these causes. It provides a means of comparison across different geographies. It is also useful in assessing the use and availability of medical and substance abuse treatments as well as the monitoring the effect of health promotion programs.

The rate of deaths due to alcohol in 2006 was higher than in previous years (2001-2005) in almost half (8 of 17) of the local health areas in the metro Vancouver region. However, overall, the 2006 average of local health area SMRs in the metro Vancouver (.83) was slightly lower than the aggregated average from 2001-2005.

Deaths due to alcohol for Metro Vancouver Local Health Areas, 2001-2005, 2006, expressed as Standardized Mortality Ratios (SMR)

 

SMR 2001-2005 (average)

SMR 2006

Change in SMR

Langley

0.68

0.86

0.18

Delta

0.64

0.7

0.06

Richmond

0.43

0.44

0.01

New Westminster

1.22

1.43

0.21

Burnaby

0.73

0.8

0.07

Maple Ridge

1.02

0.91

-0.11

Coquitlam

0.67

0.72

0.05

North Vancouver

0.65

0.58

-0.07

West Vancouver - Bowen Is

0.61

0.39

-0.22

Vancouver - City Centre

1.16

0.91

-0.25

Vancouver - DTE

3.16

2.72

-0.44

Vancouver - NE

0.71

0.49

-0.22

Vancouver - Westside

0.48

0.47

-0.01

Vancouver - Midtown

0.86

0.87

0.01

Vancouver - South

0.54

0.48

-0.06

Surrey

0.85

0.97

0.12

South Surrey/White Rock

0.56

0.44

-0.12

Metro Vancouver Total/ Average

0.88

0.83

-0.05

Drug-induced deaths are all deaths directly due to drug use and include illicit and prescribed drugs. These numbers exclude causes of death indirectly related to drug use and also exclude those deaths due to alcohol or cigarette smoking.

The rates of drug-induced deaths in 2006 were higher than in 2001-2005 in the 13 of the 17 LHAs in the region. Overall, the average of 1.38 in 2006 was higher than the average rate of the preceding five years (1.12).

Drug-Induced Deaths for Metro Vancouver Local Health Areas, 2001-2005, 2006, expressed as Standardized Mortality Ratios (SMR)

 

SMR 2001-2005 (average)

SMR 2006

Change in SMR

Langley

0.67

0.53

-0.14

Delta

0.76

1.05

0.29

Richmond

0.3

0.49

0.19

New Westminster

1.85

1.93

0.08

Burnaby

0.55

1.19

0.64

Maple Ridge

0.92

1.15

0.23

Coquitlam

0.64

0.98

0.34

North Vancouver

0.55

0.84

0.29

West Vancouver - Bowen Is

0.34

0

-0.34

Vancouver - City Centre

1.55

1.05

-0.5

Vancouver - DTE

6.26

7.54

1.28

Vancouver - NE

0.87

1.29

0.42

Vancouver - Westside

0.48

0.88

0.4

Vancouver - Midtown

1.09

1.24

0.15

Vancouver - South

0.6

0.59

-0.01

Surrey

1.03

1.65

0.62

South Surrey/White Rock

0.63

1

0.37

Metro Vancouver Total/ Average

1.12

1.38

0.25

CMA Comparison

n/a

Data Considerations

Alcohol-related deaths is the only cause of death category that is not based entirely upon underlying causes of death. Alcohol-related deaths include deaths where alcohol was a contributing factor (indirectly related) as well as those due to alcohol (directly related).

Source

BC Vital Statistics Agency, 2006 Annual Report

Link

http://www.vs.gov.bc.ca/stats/annual/2006/pdf/ann06.pdf

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7. Deaths due to Medically Treatable Diseases

Data

Standardized mortality rates for diseases that could have been avoided through appropriate medical intervention were slightly lower in 2006 than in the preceding five year period.

Date

2001-2005, 2006

Geography

Metro Vancouver

Description

Mortality rates for medically treatable diseases look at the number of deaths that could potentially have been avoided through appropriate medical intervention and treatment. Medically treatable diseases include tuberculosis, bacterial infections, hypertension, pneumonia and unqualified bronchitis among others that are considered medically treatable for persons of specific age ranges. The Standardized Mortality Ratio (SMR) for deaths due to medically treatable diseases represents the ratio of observed to expected deaths. It provides a means of comparison across different geographies and is useful in assessing the use and availability of medical treatment and monitoring the effect of health promotion programs.

At 0.9, the rate of deaths due to medically treatable diseases in metro Vancouver in 2006 was lower than the average of 1.1 from the five year preceding period: 2001-2005. Rates had also decreased in 12 of the 17 local health areas in the region.

Deaths due to medically treatable diseases for Metro Vancouver and Metro Vancouver Local Health Areas, 2001-2005, 2006, expressed as Standardized Mortality Ratios (SMR)

 

SMR 2001-2005 (average)

SMR 2006

Change in SMR

Langley

1.01

0.79

-0.22

Delta

1.12

0.93

-0.19

Richmond

0.58

0.77

0.19

New Westminster

1.13

1.15

0.02

Burnaby

0.87

0.82

-0.05

Maple Ridge

1.05

0.86

-0.19

Coquitlam

0.57

0.58

0.01

North Vancouver

0.72

0.69

-0.03

West Vancouver - Bowen Is

0.68

0.43

-0.25

Vancouver - City Centre

1.57

1.59

0.02

Vancouver - DTE

4.49

3.37

-1.12

Vancouver - NE

1.09

1.05

-0.04

Vancouver - Westside

0.4

0.61

0.21

Vancouver - Midtown

0.37

0.28

-0.09

Vancouver - South

0.86

0.57

-0.29

Surrey

1.15

0.68

-0.47

South Surrey/White Rock

0.86

0.84

-0.02

Metro Vancouver Total/ Average

1.1

0.9

-0.1

CMA Comparison

n/a

Data Considerations

Medically Treatable Diseases are based on Charlton's definition. See BC Vital Stats for a more detailed description of the methodology. www.vs.gov.bc

Source

BC Vital Statistics Agency, 2006 Annual Report

Link

http://www.vs.gov.bc.ca/stats/annual/2006/pdf/ann06.pdf

^ to top

8. Healthy Eating

Data

Only approximately four out of ten metro Vancouverites consume the recommended daily portion of fruit and vegetables (5 times/day), this is an improvement, however, from 2003.

Date

2003; 2007

Geography

Metro Vancouver and Metro Vancouver Health Service Delivery Areas

Description

Healthy eating is central to our health and key to development at all ages and stages of life. Diet is also a contributing factor for chronic conditions like heart disease, cancer, diabetes and stroke.

One of the keys to proper nutrition is eating sufficient quantities of fruit and vegetables. Health Canada, as part of Canada's Food Guide to Healthy

Eating, recommends eating between a minimum of 5 and up to 10 servings of fruit and vegetables per day - equivalent to approximately 400 grams. The proportion of the population that achieves this level of fruit and vegetable consumption is measured by the Canadian Community Health Survey.

Survey results from 2003 and 2007 indicate that, overall, metro Vancouverites are improving in their fruit and vegetable consumption. Between 2003 and 2007, the proportion reporting to get their five or more fruits and vegetables per day increased by 6% from 37.6% to 39.8%. This positive trend is reflected at the provincial level as well. However, the proportion achieving the recommended 400 grams per day has declined in two of the Health Service Delivery Areas within the region.

Percent of the Population that Consumes Fruits and Vegetables Five Times or More Per Day, As Recommended, Metro Vancouver and Metro Vancouver HSDAs, 2003; 2007

Geography

2003

2007

%Change 2003-2007

Fraser North

36.7%

44.3%

20.7%

Fraser South

40.3%

35.3%

-12.4%

Richmond

33.6%

33.2%

-1.2%

Vancouver

37%

42.3%

14.3%

Metro Vancouver

37.6%

39.8%

5.8%

British Columbia

40.1%

40.9%

2.0%

CMA Comparison

n/a

Data Considerations

The boundaries of the Health Service Delivery Areas do not correspond exactly to those of the CMA. Data from both North and West Vancouver are missing.

Source

Statistics Canada, Community Health Survey

Link

http://www.statcan.ca/english/freepub/82-221-XIE/2008001/frame-en.htm

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9. Infant Mortality Rate

Data

Infant mortality rates in metro Vancouver increased to 4.1 per 1000 live births in 2006 from an average of 3.3 in 2001-2005.

Date

2001-2005, 2006

Geography

Metro Vancouver

Description

Infant mortality rates measure the number of deaths of infants less than one year of age per 1,000 live births. More than just a measure of child health, the rate of infant deaths is associated with socio-economic conditions, access to health care, the effectiveness of preventative care and the health status of women of childbearing age. It is therefore commonly used as an indicator of general health status, well-being and standard of living.

The 2006 infant mortality rate in metro Vancouver was slightly higher than the average in 2001-2005. Rates did not increase in all local health areas of the region, however. In eight of the 17 Local Health Areas in the region, the rate of infant mortality was lower in 2006 than in the preceding period. The 2006 infant mortality rate for the province was also below the 2001-2005 average.

Infant Mortality Rate in Metro Vancouver and Metro Vancouver Local Health Areas, 2001-2005, 2006

 

Rate per 1,000 live births 2001-2005 (average)

Rate per 1,000 live births 2006

Langley

3.62

1.54

Delta

3.71

1.11

Richmond

2.95

4.39

New Westminster

2.2

2.99

Burnaby

2.89

3.25

Maple Ridge

3.19

2.17

Coquitlam

4.27

1.99

North Vancouver

2.69

3.31

West Vancouver -

Bowen Island

2.66

0

Vancouver - City Centre

2.01

2.3

Vancouver - DTE

3.49

12.37

Vancouver - NE

5.21

8.5

Vancouver - Westside

4.78

3.31

Vancouver - Midtown

3.03

9.7

Vancouver - South

2.86

7.35

Surrey

4.71

4.25

South Surrey/White Rock

2.34

1.96

Metro Vancouver Total/ Average

3.3

4.1

BC

4.24

3.99

CMA Comparison

n/a

Data Considerations

Due to the small numbers of infant deaths, infant mortality ratios can vary substantially from year to year.

Source

BC Vital Statistics Agency, 2006 Annual Report

Link

http://www.vs.gov.bc.ca/stats/annual/2006/pdf/ann06.pdf

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10. Potential Years of Life Lost

Data

The number of years lost as a result of early deaths in the region has decreased.

Date

2001-2005, 2006

Geography

Metro Vancouver

Description

Potential Years of Life Lost (PYLL) is a measure of premature mortality. It represents the total number of years of life 'lost' when a person dies before the age of 75 years. A higher PYLL corresponds to a greater number of years of life lost as a result of premature death and therefore reflects the impact of causes of death that occur at younger ages. Higher PYLLs also imply lost opportunities for individuals in our region to contribute and be part of our society.

PYLLs vary by age group and by gender. In the younger ages (15-24), for example, external causes such as motor vehicle accidents account for a large share of PYLLs, whereas in the older cohorts, the highest PYLLs are generally for cancer.

The PYLL Index is expressed as a ratio of a region's observed PYLL to that expected if the region followed a pattern consistent to that of the province overall. PYLLs highlight those regions or populations in which the rate of premature death is higher than the norm and are therefore a useful tool for policy and planning.

In all local health areas in the region, the potential years of life lost from premature deaths is decreasing over time, as denoted by the direction of the arrows in the trend column below. .

Potential Years of Life Lost by Metro Vancouver Local Health Areas, 2001-2006

 

PYLL Observed, 2006

PYLL Index

Trend 2001-2006

Langley

670

0.83

æ

Delta

762

0.80

  

Richmond

860

0.60

æ

New Westminster

600

1.09

æ

Burnaby

1,467

0.72

æ

Maple Ridge

435

1.02

æ

Coquitlam

1,530

0.79

æ

North Vancouver

970

0.69

æ

West Van - Bowen Is

167

0.58

æ

Van - City Centre

850

1.00

æ

Vancouver - DTE

1,577

2.62

æ

Vancouver - NE

720

0.88

æ

Vancouver - Westside

902

0.64

æ

Vancouver - Midtown

607

0.82

æ

Vancouver - South

552

0.70

æ

Surrey

3,354

1.02

æ
  1. Surrey/White Rock

522

0.76

æ

CMA Comparison

n/a

Data Considerations

Observed PYLL represents the number of potential years of life lost based on the number and age at death of deaths that occurred in the LHA. Observed PYLL are divided by expected PYLL to calculate the PYLL Index. For more information on the methodology and definitions of PYLL, please refer to the BC Vital Stats website: www.vs.gov.bc.ca

Source

BC Vital Statistics Agency, 2006 Annual Report

Link

http://www.vs.gov.bc.ca/stats/annual/2006/pdf/ann06.pdf

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11. Proportion of Low Birth Weight Babies

Data

An increasing proportion of babies being born in metro Vancouver weigh less than 2,500 grams. In 2005/06, 6% of babies were considered low birth weight as compared to 5% in 2001/02.

Date

2001-2006

Geography

Metro Vancouver

Description

Low birth weight is a key determinant of infant survival, health, and development. It is also a measure of good prenatal health of mothers as well as the success, or presence, of successful prenatal programs. Babies born weighing less than 2,500 grams have been proven to be at a greater risk of having a disability or having diseases such as cerebral palsy, visual problems, learning disabilities and respiratory problems.

Less than seven percent of babies born In metro Vancouver in 2005/06 were considered to be of low birth weight. The rate of low birth weight babies has increased gradually in the region since 2001/02 when 5% of babies born fell into this category.

The same trend is seen at the provincial level.

Proportion of Low Birth Weight Babies (%) for BC, Metro Vancouver and Metro Vancouver Health Service Delivery Areas, 2001-2006

 

2001-02

2002-03

2003-04

2004-05

2005-06

Metro Vancouver

5.1

5.6

5.6

5.9

6.0

Fraser North

5.0

5.7

5.7

6.3

5.7

Fraser South

5.4

5.6

5.4

5.7

6.7

Richmond

4.5

5.8

6.2

5.4

5.2

Vancouver

4.9

5.9

6.0

6.0

6.3

British Columbia

5.1

5.6

5.5

5.7

5.8

CMA Comparison

Metro Vancouver's rate of low birth weight babies is lower than the national average of 6.1 and a number of the other large CMAs. Toronto and Calgary had the highest proportions of low birth rate babies, with rates at 6.6% and 7.8%.

Proportion of Low Birth Weight Babies for Select CMAs, 2005/2006

CMA

%

Calgary

7.8

Toronto

6.6

Canada

6.1

Fredericton

6.5

Saskatoon

6.1

Metro Vancouver

6.0

Ottawa

5.9

Saint John

5.7

Guelph

5.7

Kitchener

5.7

Montreal

5.7

Victoria

5.7

Data Considerations

Rates use population weighted averages of the rates for the health regions.

The increase in low weight births could be attributable in part to advances in medical technologies and procedures that are enabling more births and greater survival rates of pre-term infants.

Source
  1. Statistics Canada, Giving Birth in Canada: Regional Trends from 2001-2002 to 2005-2006

Link

http://secure.cihi.ca/cihiweb/en/downloads/Childbirth_AiB_FINAL_E.pdf

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12. Self Rated Health and Mental Health Status

Data

Six out of ten people in metro Vancouver perceived their health as either "very good" or "excellent"; and 68% saw themselves in "very good" or "excellent" mental health.

Date

2003, 2005, 2007

Geography

Metro Vancouver and Metro Vancouver Health Service Delivery Areas

Description

Self-reported health is a widely accepted indicator of potential health problems and overall health status. Individuals are asked to rate their own physical and mental health on a five point scale as being either "excellent," "very good," "good," "fair," or "poor." These responses reflect aspects of health not captured in other measures such as rates of disease or life expectancy and speak largely to well-being.

The proportion of people in metro Vancouver that perceived their health as being either "very good" or "excellent" has slightly increased since 2003. In 2003, 59% saw themselves in very good or excellent health; in 2007, 60% perceived themselves as such.

Percent of the Population that Perceive their Health to be Very Good or Excellent, Metro Vancouver and Metro Vancouver HSDAs, 2003; 2005; 2007

Geography

2003

2005

2007

%Change 2003-2007

Fraser North

57.9%

57.9%

60.4%

4.3%

Fraser South

62.7%

61.2%

61.1%

-2.6%

Richmond

53.6%

53.6%

50.9%

-5.0%

Vancouver

56.1%

56.8%

60.3%

7.5%

Metro Vancouver

58.5%

58.2%

59.7%

2.2%

A higher proportion in all areas of the region saw themselves to be in "very good" or "excellent" mental health as well. The proportion of residents rating their mental health in this manner was higher in 2007 at 68% than in 2003 when it was 67%; however, it was lower than in 2005 when over 70% of the population reported seeing themselves in top mental health.

Percent of the Population that Perceive their Mental Health to be Very Good or Excellent, Metro Vancouver and Metro Vancouver HSDAs, 2003, 2005, 2007

Geography

2003

2005

2007

%Change 2003-2007

Fraser North

67

71.4

73.7

10.0%

Fraser South

72

73.7

64.7

-10.1%

Richmond

64.3

65.9

60.6

-5.8%

Vancouver

62.6

66.3

69.2

10.5%

Metro Vancouver

67.0

70.1

68.3

1.9%

CMA Comparison

n/a

 

Data Considerations

The boundaries of the Health Service Delivery Areas do not correspond exactly to those of the CMA. Data from both North and West Vancouver are missing.

Source

Statistics Canada, Community Health Survey

Link

http://www.geog.uvic.ca/wellness/

http://www.statcan.ca/english/freepub/82-221-XIE/2008001/frame-en.htm


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13. Self Reported Chronic conditions

Data

As of 2005, approximately two thirds of the population in all four of the health service delivery areas in metro Vancouver reported having a chronic condition.

Date

2005

Geography

Vancouver HSDA

Description

Chronic diseases are becoming increasingly more prevalent as our population ages and lives longer. Diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney disease, heart failure, lung disease and mental health are affecting more and more members of our population and are accounting for a rising proportion of health care spending.

In every region, males were more likely than females to report not having a chronic condition. As would be expected, younger respondents reported higher rates of 'having no chronic conditions. However, even among 12-19 year olds, less than 60% indicated that they lived without some form of chronic condition.

Percent of the Population Reporting to Have No Chronic Conditions, by Age and Gender for Metro Vancouver HSDAs, 2005

Health Service Delivery Area

Overall (%)

By Gender

By Age

Male (%)

Female (%)

12-19 (%)

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