Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) - Cycle 1.1

Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS): Cycle 1.1: extending the wealth of health data in Canada

• Background
• Objective
• Sample design
• Content
• Outputs
• More information

Background

A new survey, the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS), is being conducted by Statistics Canada to provide regular and timely cross-sectional estimates of health determinants, health status and health system utilization for 136 health regions across the country

Funding for the CCHS was provided under the Health Information Roadmap initiative, a plan to modernize and standardize health information across the country. The Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) received funds for the Roadmap from Health Canada, and Statistics Canada has joined as a partner in supporting a series of projects.

Objective

The primary objective of the CCHS is to provide timely cross-sectional estimates of health determinants, health status and health system utilization at a sub-provincial level (health region or combination of health regions).

Sample design

The CCHS began collection in September 2000. Each two-year collection cycle is comprised of two distinct surveys: a health region-level survey in the first year with a total sample of 130,000 and a provincial-level survey in the second year with a total sample of 30,000. Sample sizes in any particular month or year may increase due to provincial or health region-level sample buy-ins. Both computer-assisted personal and telephone interviews are used.

The target population of the CCHS includes household residents in all provinces and territories; with the principal exclusion of populations on Indian Reserves, Canadian Forces Bases, and some remote areas. There will be one randomly selected respondent per household, although planned oversampling of youths will result in a second member of certain households being interviewed. For the first collection cycle only those 12 years of age and over are eligible for selection, although it is expected that in future cycles child-specific content will be included.

Content

The health region-level survey will consist of an interview of approximately 45 minutes. Thirty minutes will consist of common content to be asked of all sample units, to meet basic health data requirements on an on-going basis. Ten minutes will consist of optional content determined by each health region from a predefined list of questionnaire modules. Socio-economic and demographic content will complete the 45-minute interview.

The provincial-level survey will be approximately 60 minutes and will consist of some common content and one focus content topic per cycle. Focus content is intended to be an in-depth treatment of topical issues. Suggestions for focus content include mental health, nutrition and social support. It is also expected that a set of physical measures be taken for a sample of respondents at some point.

The following table outlines content for the first year of the CCHS, as identified in a cross-Canada content consultation that took place in June 1999:

Common content

Optional Content

Administration Alcohol Alcohol dependence / abuse Blood pressure check Breastfeeding Chronic conditions Contacts with mental health professionals Exposure to second hand smoke Food insecurity Fruit and vegetable consumption General health Health care utilization Health Utility Index (HUI) Height / weight Household record variables Income Injuries Labour force Mammography PAP smear test Patient satisfaction Physical activities PSA test Restriction of activities Smoking Socio-demographic characteristics Tobacco alternatives Two-week disability

Breast examinations Breast self examinations Changes made to improve health Dental visits Depression Distress Driving under influence Drug use Eye examinations Flu shots Home care Mastery Mood Physical check-up Sedentary activities Self-esteem Sexual behaviours Smoking cessation aids Social support Spirituality Suicidal thoughts and attempts Use of protective equipment Work stress

Outputs

It is expected that all CCHS products from a particular cycle will be released over the 12-months following completion of the cycle's last interview. A CCHS microdata file will be produced and shared with the provinces, territories and Health Canada under a data sharing agreement. In addition, a public use microdata file (PUMF) will be produced and released on compact disc. Access to CCHS microdata can also be obtained by using Statistics Canada's custom tabulation and remote access services. Results of each survey cycle will be disseminated in the form of an overview report, quarterly CCHS articles on topics or sub-populations of interest, articles in Health Reports and a series of 136 health region profiles available on the Statistics Canada web site. Finally, workshops are planned to assist users in maximizing their use of the CCHS.

More information

For more information about the CCHS please contact:
Telephone: (613) 951-1653
Email: cchs-escc@statcan.gc.ca