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Health and community belonging

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In 2007, 62% of Canadians reported a strong sense of community belonging. Of the 62%, 16% described their sense of belonging as very strong and 46% reported it as somewhat strong. As well, 26% felt a somewhat weak sense of community belonging, and 9% had a very weak sense of belonging.

That sense of belonging seems to bring benefits to health. Two-thirds of those who felt a very strong or somewhat strong sense of community belonging reported excellent or very good general health. By contrast, half of those with a very weak sense of belonging viewed their general health favourably.

Similarly, 81% of those with a very strong sense of community reported excellent or very good mental health, compared with 64% of those whose sense of community belonging was very weak.

Residents of the Atlantic provinces have the highest levels of community belonging, with people from Newfoundland and Labrador having the highest rate among all provinces at 76%.