 |
Health Indicators, vol. 2004, no. 1 > Definitions
and data sources >
Health Status
Well-being
Health conditions
Human function
Deaths
Well-being
Self-rated health
Definition:
Population (aged 12 and over for data from the Canadian Community Health
Survey and National Population Health Survey, North component) who rate
their own health status as being either excellent, very good, good, fair
or poor.
Self-reported health is an indicator of overall health status. It can reflect aspects of health not captured in other measures, such as: incipient disease, disease severity, aspects of positive health status, physiological and psychological reserves and social and mental function .
Sources:
Statistics Canada, Canadian Community Health Survey, 2003, 2000/01, health file;
Statistics Canada, National Population Health Survey, 1994/95, 1996/97
and 1998/99 cross sectional sample, health file; Statistics Canada, National
Population Health Survey, 1994/95 and 1996/97, cross sectional sample,
North component; Statistics Canada, National Longitudinal Survey of Children
and Youth (0 to 11 years of age), 1994/95
Changes over time in self-rated health
Definition:
Changes over time in self-rated health (excellent, very good, good, fair
or poor) of the 1994/95 household population aged 12 and over every
two years, at each cycle of the National Population Health Survey.
Population, age, sex and province are based on the first survey cycle
(Cycle 1) in 1994/95.
Source:
Statistics Canada, National Population Health Survey, 1996/97 and 1998/99
longitudinal full-response data files and 2000/01 longitudinal data
file
Self esteem
Definition:
Level of perceived self-worth reported by persons aged 12 and over, based
on their responses to six questions derived from the self-esteem Rosenberg
scale (1969), which has been further factored into one dimension by
Pearlin and Schooler (1978). In this publication, a score of 0 to 17
is classified as low self-esteem, 18 to 19 as moderate self-esteem,
and 20 to 24 as high self-esteem.
Source:
Statistics Canada, Canadian Community Health Survey, 2003, 2000/01, health file;
Statistics Canada, Statistics Canada, National Population Health Survey,
1994/95, cross sectional sample, health file
Health conditions
Body mass index (BMI)
Note: Definition change implemented in 2004 to conform with Health Canada guidelines for body weight classification.
Definition:
Body Mass Index (BMI) is a method of classifying body weight according to health risk. According to World Health Organisation (WHO) and Health Canada guidelines, health risk levels are associated with each of the following BMI categories: normal weight = least health risk; underweight and overweight = increased health risk; obese class I = high health risk; obese class II = very high health risk; obese class III = extremely high health risk.
BMI is calculated as follows: weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared.
The index is: under 18.5 (underweight); 18.5-24.9 (normal weight); 25.0-29.9 (overweight); 30.0-34.9 (obese-Class I); 35.0-39.9 (obese-Class II); 40 or greater (obese - Class III). The index is calculated for those aged 18 and over excluding pregnant women and persons less than 3 feet (0.914 metres) tall or greater than 6 feet 11 inches (2.108 metres).
Sources:
Statistics Canada, Canadian Community Health Survey, 2003, health file; Statistics Canada
Arthritis/rheumatism
Definition:
Population aged 12 and over who report that they have been diagnosed by
a health professional as having arthritis or rheumatism.
Arthritis/rheumatism includes both rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis,
but excludes fibromyalgia.
Sources:
Statistics Canada, Canadian Community Health Survey, 2003, 2000/01, health file;
Statistics Canada, National Population Health Survey, 1994/95, 1996/97
and 1998/99, cross sectional sample, health file; Statistics Canada, National
Population Health Survey, 1994/95 and 1996/97, cross sectional sample,
North component
Diabetes
Definition:
Population aged 12 and over who report that they have been diagnosed by
a health professional as having diabetes.
Sources:
Statistics Canada, Canadian Community Health Survey, 2003, 2000/01, health file;
Statistics Canada, National Population Health Survey, 1994/95, 1996/97
and 1998/99, cross sectional sample, health file; Statistics Canada, National
Population Health Survey, 1994/95 and 1996/97, cross sectional sample,
North component
Asthma
Definition:
Population aged 4 and over (or aged 12 and over for data from the Canadian
Community Health Survey and National Population Health Survey, North component)
who report that they have been diagnosed by a health professional as having
asthma.
Sources:
Statistics Canada, Canadian Community Health Survey, 2003, 2000/01, health file;
Statistics Canada, National Population Health Survey, 1994/95, 1996/97
and 1998/99, cross sectional sample, health file; Statistics Canada, National
Population Health Survey, 1994/95 and 1996/97, cross sectional sample,
North component; Statistics Canada, National Longitudinal Survey of Children
and Youth (asthma for 4 to 11 years of age), 1994/95
High blood pressure
Definition:
Population aged 12 and over who report that they have been diagnosed by
a health professional as having high blood pressure.
Sources:
Statistics Canada, Canadian Community Health Survey, 2003, 2000/01, health file;
Statistics Canada, National Population Health Survey, 1994/95, 1996/97
and 1998/99, cross sectional sample, health file; Statistics Canada, National
Population Health Survey, 1994/95 and 1996/97, cross sectional sample,
North component
Chronic pain - affects activities
Definition:
Population aged 4 and over (or aged 12 and over for data from the Canadian
Community Health Survey and National Population Health Survey, North component)
who report having pain or discomfort which prevents or limits
activities on a continuing basis.
Sources:
Statistics Canada, Canadian Community Health Survey, 2003, 2000/01, health file;
Statistics Canada, National Population Health Survey, 1994/95, 1996/97
and 1998/99, cross sectional sample, health file; Statistics Canada, National
Population Health Survey, 1994/95 and 1996/97, cross sectional sample,
North component; Statistics Canada, National Longitudinal Survey of Children
and Youth (4 to 11 years of age), 1994/95
Chronic pain - severity
Definition:
Population aged 4 and over (or aged 12 and over for data from the Canadian
Community Health Survey and National Population Health Survey, North component)
who answered "yes"or "no" when asked if they were
usually free of pain or discomfort. Severity of pain is measured as severe,
moderate or mild.
Sources:
Statistics Canada, Canadian Community Health Survey, 2003, 2000/01, health file;
Statistics Canada, National Population Health Survey, 1994/95, 1996/97
and 1998/99, cross sectional sample, health file; Statistics Canada, National
Population Health Survey, 1994/95 and 1996/97, cross sectional sample,
North component; Statistics Canada, National Longitudinal Survey of Children
and Youth (4 to 11 years of age), 1994/95
Depression
Definition:
Population aged 12 and over who show symptoms of depression, based on
their responses to a set of questions that establishes the probability
of suffering a "major depressive episode".
Sources:
Statistics Canada, Canadian Community Health Survey, 2003, 2000/01, health file;
Statistics Canada, National Population Health Survey, 1994/95, 1996/97
and 1998/99, cross sectional sample, health file; Statistics Canada, National
Population Health Survey, 1994/95 and 1996/97, cross sectional sample,
North component
Low birth weight
Definition:
Live births less than 2,500 grams, expressed as a percentage of all live
births (birth weight known).
Live births greater than 500 grams and less than 2,500 grams, expressed
as a percentage of all live births (birth weight known). (Applies only
to a subset of the provincial/territorial time-series data)
Low birth weight is a key determinant of infant survival, health, and
development. Low birth weight infants are at a greater risk of having
a disability and for diseases such as cerebral palsy, visual problems,
learning disabilities and respiratory problems.
Sources:
Statistics Canada, Vital Statistics, Birth Database
Cancer incidence
Definition:
Age-standardized rate of new primary sites of cancer (malignant neoplasms)
per 100,000 population, for all cancers (ICD-9 140-208) and for specific
sites: colorectal (ICD-9 153-154), lung (ICD-9 162), female breast (ICD-9
174), and prostate cancer (ICD-9 185).
Sources:
Statistics Canada, Vital Statistics, Cancer Database, Canadian Cancer
Registry, and Demography Division (population estimates), Health Canada
(1998 - 2002 estimates)
Injuries
Definition:
Population aged 12 and over who sustained injuries in the past 12 months. Includes all injuries serious enough to limit one's normal activities, but does not include repetitive strain injury. For those with more than one injury in the past 12 months, refers to "the most serious injury" as identified by the respondent.
Sources:
Statistics Canada, Canadian Community Health Survey, 2003, 2000/01, health file;
Statistics Canada, National Population Health Survey, 1994/95, 1996/97
and 1998/99, cross sectional sample, health file; Statistics Canada, National
Population Health Survey, 1994/95 and 1996/97, cross sectional sample,
North component
Human function
Functional health
Definition:
Population aged 4 and over (or aged 12 and over for data from the Canadian
Community Health Survey and National Population Health Survey, North component)
reporting measures of overall functional health, based on 8 dimensions
of functioning (vision, hearing, speech, mobility, dexterity, feelings,
cognition and pain). A score of 0.8 to 1.0 is considered to be very good
or perfect health; scores below 0.8 are considered to indicate moderate
or severe functional health problems.
Otherwise known as the Health Utility Index (HUI), this index, developed
at McMaster University’s Centre for Health Economics and Policy
Analysis, is based on the Comprehensive Health Status Measurement System
(CHSMS).
Sources:
Statistics Canada, Canadian Community Health Survey, 2003, 2000/01, health file;
Statistics Canada, National Population Health Survey, 1994/95, 1996/97
and 1998/99, cross sectional sample, health file; Statistics Canada, National
Population Health Survey, 1994/95 and 1996/97, cross sectional sample,
North component
Two-week disability days
Definition:
Population (aged 12 and over for data from the Canadian Community Health
Survey and National Population Health Survey, North component) who stayed
in bed or cut down on normal activities because of illness or injury,
on one or more days in the past two weeks.
Sources:
Statistics Canada, Canadian Community Health Survey, 2003, 2000/01, health file;
Statistics Canada, National Population Health Survey, 1994/95, 1996/97
and 1998/99, cross sectional sample, health file; Statistics Canada, National
Population Health Survey, 1994/95 and 1996/97, cross sectional sample,
North component
Activity limitation
Definition:
Population aged 4 and over (or aged 12 and over for data from the Canadian Community Health Survey and National Population Health Survey, North component) who report being limited in selected activities (home, school, work and other) because of a physical condition, mental condition, or health problem which has lasted or is expected to last six months or longer.
Sources:
Statistics Canada, Canadian Community Health Survey, 2003, 2000/01, health file;
Statistics Canada, National Population Health Survey, 1994/95, 1996/97
and 1998/99, cross sectional sample, health file; Statistics Canada, National
Population Health Survey, 1994/95 and 1996/97, cross sectional sample,
North component; Statistics Canada, National Longitudinal Survey of Children
and Youth (4 to 11 years of age), 1994/95
Disability-free life expectancy
Definition:
Life expectancy is the number of years a person would be expected to live,
starting from birth (for life expectancy at birth) or at age 65 (for life
expectancy at age 65), on the basis of the mortality statistics for a
given observation period.
Disability-free life expectancy is a more comprehensive indicator than
that of life expectancy because it introduces the concept of quality of
life. It is used to distinguish between years of life free of any activity
limitation and years experienced with at least one activity limitation.
To that end, disability-free life expectancy establishes a threshold based
on the nature of such limitations. Years of life lived in conditions above
this threshold are counted in full. Those lived in conditions below the
threshold are not counted. Thus, the emphasis is not exclusively on the
length of life, as is the case for life expectancy, but also on the quality
of life.
Sources:
Statistics Canada, Vital Statistics, Death Database, Demography Division
(population estimates), and the 1996 Census (20% sample)
Disability-adjusted life expectancy (DALE)
Definition:
Life expectancy is the number of years a person would be expected to live,
starting from birth (for life expectancy at birth) or at age 65 (for life
expectancy at age 65), on the basis of the mortality statistics for a
given observation period.
Disability-adjusted life expectancy (DALE) is a more comprehensive indicator
than that of life expectancy because it introduces the concept of quality
of life. DALE integrates data on mortality, long-term institutionalization
and activity limitations in the population and represents a comprehensive
index of population health status. Thus, the emphasis is not exclusively
on the length of life, but also on the quality of life.
To calculate DALE, a set of weights (relative values) is assigned to
four states of health. These states are, in order from greatest to least
weight: no activity limitations, activity limitations in leisure activities
or transportation, activity limitations at work, home and/or school and
institutionalization in a health care facility in order to establish units
of equal value. These units are summed to yield a type of 'quality-adjusted'
life expectancy.
Sources:
Statistics Canada, Vital Statistics, Death Database, Demography Division
(population estimates), and the 1996 Census (20% sample)
Deaths
Infant mortality
Definition:
Infants who die in the first year of life, expressed as a count and a
rate per 1,000 live births.
A long-established measure, not only of child health, but also of the
well-being of a society. Reflects the level of mortality, health status,
and health care of a population, and the effectiveness of preventive care
and the attention paid to maternal and child health.
Sources:
Statistics Canada, Vital Statistics, Birth and Death Databases
Perinatal mortality
Definition:
Count and rate of stillbirths and early neonatal deaths (deaths in the
first week of life) per 1,000 total births (includes stillbirths). Stillbirths
are defined here as gestational age of 28 or more weeks. Stillbirths with
unknown gestational age are excluded.
The probability that a fetus considered to be viable will be stillborn
or will die before the end of the first week of life. Reflects standards
of obstetric and pediatric care, as well as the effectiveness of public
health initiatives.
Sources:
Statistics Canada, Vital Statistics, Birth, Death and Stillbirth Databases
Life expectancy
Definition:
Life expectancy is the number of years a person would be expected to
live, starting from birth (for life expectancy at birth) and similarly
for other age groups, on the basis of the mortality statistics for
a given observation period.
A widely used indicator of the health of a population. Life expectancy
measures quantity rather than quality of life.
Sources:
Statistics Canada, Vital Statistics, Death Database, and Demography Division
(population estimates)
Age-standardized mortality rate - (for provincial
level time-series)
Definition:
Age-standardized rate of death for selected causes per 100,000 population. Causes of death are classified according to the International Classification of Disease (ICD-9) from 1979 to 1999. The year 2000 and subsequent years available are classified according to the Tenth Revision of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10) . Selected causes are defined as follows: Colorectal cancer (ICD-10 C18-C21 or ICD-9 153-154), lung cancer (ICD-10 C33-C34 or ICD-9 162), female breast cancer (ICD-10 C50 females specified or ICD-9 174), prostate cancer (ICD-10 C61 or ICD-9 185), acute myocardial infarction (AMI) (ICD-10 I21-I22 or ICD-9 410), cerebrovascular diseases (ICD-10 I60-I69 or ICD-9 430-438), all stroke (selected cerebrovascular diseases) (ICD-10 I60-I66 or ICD-9 430-432, 434, 436)
Indicates the overall health of the population and is similar to what
is measured by life expectancy.
Sources:
Statistics Canada, Vital Statistics, Death Database, and Demography Division
(population estimates)
Total mortality
Definition:
Crude count, crude rate and age-standardized rate of death from all causes
(ICD-9 001-799, E800-E999) per 100,000 population.
Indicates the overall health of the population and is similar to what
is measured by life expectancy.
Sources:
Statistics Canada, Vital Statistics, Death Database, and Demography Division
(population estimates)
All circulatory disease deaths
Definition:
Crude count, crude rate and age-standardized rate of death from circulatory
diseases per 100,000 population: all circulatory diseases (ICD-9 390-459),
ischaemic heart disease (ICD-9 410-414), cerebrovascular diseases (stroke)
(ICD-9 430-438) and all other circulatory diseases (ICD-9 390-409, 415-429,
439-459).
Measures long-term success in reducing deaths due to circulatory disease,
compared with other regions, provinces, and countries. Lower death rates
indicate success in circulatory disease prevention, detection, and treatment.
Sources:
Statistics Canada, Vital Statistics, Death Database, and Demography Division
(population estimates)
All cancer deaths (malignant neoplasms)
Definition:
Crude count, crude rate and age-standardized rate of death from cancer
per 100,000 population, for all cancers (ICD-9 140-208) and for specific
sites: colorectal (ICD-9 153-154), lung (ICD-9 162), female breast (ICD-9
174), and prostate cancer (ICD-9 185).
Measures long-term success in reducing deaths due to cancer, compared
with other regions, provinces, and countries. Lower death rates indicate
success in cancer prevention, detection, and treatment.
Sources:
Statistics Canada, Vital Statistics, Death Database, and Demography Division
(population estimates)
All respiratory disease deaths
Definition:
Crude count, crude rate and age-standardized rate of death from respiratory
diseases per 100,000 population, for all respiratory diseases (ICD-9 460-519),
pneumonia and influenza (ICD-9 480-487), bronchitis/emphysema/asthma (ICD-9
490-493) and all other respiratory diseases (ICD-9 460-479, 488-489, 494-519).
Measures long-term success in reducing deaths due to respiratory disease,
compared with other regions, provinces, and countries. Lower death rates
indicate success in respiratory disease prevention, detection, and treatment.
Sources:
Statistics Canada, Vital Statistics, Death Database, and Demography Division
(population estimates)
Suicide
Definition:
Crude count, crude rate and age-standardized rate of suicide death (ICD-9
E950-E959) per 100,000 population.
Measures long-term success in reducing suicide, a social as well as a
major public health concern.
Sources:
Statistics Canada, Vital Statistics, Death Database, and Demography Division
(population estimates)
Unintentional injury deaths
Definition:
Crude count, crude rate and age-standardized rate of death from unintentional
injuries per 100,000 population. Unintentional ("accidental")
injuries includes injuries due to causes such as motor vehicle collisions,
falls, drowning, burns, and poisoning, but not medical misadventures/complications
(ICD-9 E800-E929), excluding E870-E879).
Measures long-term success in reducing deaths due to unintentional injuries,
compared with other regions, provinces, and countries. Measures the adequacy
and effectiveness of injury prevention efforts, including public education,
community and road design, prevention, emergency care, and treatment resources.
Sources:
Statistics Canada, Vital Statistics, Death Database, and Demography Division
(population estimates)
AIDS deaths
Definition:
Crude count, crude rate and age-standardized rate of deaths due to AIDS
and HIV infections (ICD-9 042-044) per 100,000 population.
Measures success in preventing and treating AIDS and HIV (Human Immunodeficiency
Virus, the agent that causes AIDS). Information on deaths can be used
to estimate the number of persons living with HIV/AIDS, as well as the
impact of treatment.
Sources:
Statistics Canada, Vital Statistics, Death Database, and Demography Division
(population estimates)
Potential Years of Life Lost (PYLL) rate - (for
provincial level time-series)
Definition:
Potential years of life lost (PYLL) is the number of years of life "lost"
when a person dies "prematurely" from any cause - before age
75. A person dying at age 25, for example, has lost 50 years of life.
Potential years of life lost are calculated by taking the median age in each age group, subtracting from 75, and multiplying by the number of deaths in that age group disaggregated by sex and cause of death. These data are presented as a standardized rate per 100,000 population. Causes of death are classified according to the International Classification of Disease (ICD-9) from 1979 to 1999. The year 2000 and subsequent years available are classified according to the Tenth Revision of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10). Provincial level PYLL was calculated only for suicide and unintentional injuries for the years 2000 and 2001. Selected causes are defined as follows: C olorectal cancer (ICD-9 153-154), lung cancer (ICD-9 162), female breast cancer (ICD-9 174), prostate cancer (ICD-9 185), acute myocardial infarction (AMI) (ICD-9 410), cerebrovascular diseases (ICD-9 430-438), all stroke (ICD-9 430-432, 434, 436), unintentional injuries (ICD-10 V01-X59, Y85-Y86 or ICD-9 E800-E929 excluding E870-E879), suicides (ICD-10 X60-X84, Y87 or ICD-9 E950-E959)
Sources:
Statistics Canada, Vital Statistics, Death Database, and Demography Division
(population estimates)
Total mortality Potential Years of Life Lost (PYLL)
Definition:
Potential years of life lost (PYLL) (total mortality) is the number of
years of life "lost" when a person dies "prematurely" from any
cause - before age 75. A person dying at age 25, for example, has lost
50 years of life.
Potential years of life lost are calculated by taking the median age
in each age group, subtracting from 75, and multiplying by the number
of deaths in that age group disaggregated by sex and cause of death.
These data are presented as a count (total PYLL) and as a rate per 100,000
population.
Sources:
Statistics Canada, Vital Statistics, Death Database, and Demography Division
(population estimates)
Cancer deaths Potential Years of Life Lost (PYLL)
Definition:
Potential years of life lost (PYLL) (all malignant neoplasms, ICD-9 140-208
and for specific sites: colorectal (ICD-9 153-154), lung (ICD-9 162),
female breast (ICD-9 174), and prostate cancer (ICD-9 185)) is the
number of years of life "lost" when a person dies "prematurely" from
any cancer – before age 75. A person dying at age 25, for example,
has lost 50 years of life.
Potential years of life lost are calculated by taking the median age
in each age group, subtracting from 75, and multiplying by the number
of deaths in that age group disaggregated by sex and cause of death.
These data are presented as a count (total PYLL) and as a rate per 100,000
population.
Sources:
Statistics Canada, Vital Statistics, Death Database, and Demography Division
(population estimates)
Circulatory disease deaths Potential Years of Life Lost (PYLL)
Definition:
Potential years of life lost (PYLL) (all circulatory disease deaths,
ICD-9 390-459 and specific causes: ischaemic heart disease (ICD-9 410-414),
cerebrovascular diseases (stroke) (ICD-9 430-438) and all other circulatory
diseases (ICD-9 390-409, 415-429, 439-459)) is the number of years
of life "lost" when a person dies "prematurely" from
any circulatory disease – before age 75. A person dying at age
25, for example, has lost 50 years of life.
Potential years of life lost are calculated by taking the median age
in each age group, subtracting from 75, and multiplying by the number
of deaths in that age group disaggregated by sex and cause of death.
These data are presented as a count (total PYLL) and as a rate per 100,000
population.
Sources:
Statistics Canada, Vital Statistics, Death Database, and Demography Division
(population estimates)
Respiratory disease deaths Potential Years of Life Lost (PYLL)
Definition:
Potential years of life lost (PYLL) (all respiratory disease deaths,
ICD-9 460-519 and for specific causes: pneumonia and influenza (ICD-9
480-487), bronchitis/emphysema/asthma (ICD-9 490-493) and all other
respiratory diseases (ICD-9 460-479, 488-489, 494-519)) is the number
of years of life "lost" when a person dies "prematurely" from
any respiratory disease – before age 75. A person dying at age
25, for example, has lost 50 years of life.
Potential years of life lost are calculated by taking the median age
in each age group, subtracting from 75, and multiplying by the number
of deaths in that age group disaggregated by sex and cause of death.
These data are presented as a count (total PYLL) and as a rate per 100,000
population.
Sources:
Statistics Canada, Vital Statistics, Death Database, and Demography Division
(population estimates)
Unintentional injury deaths Potential Years of Life
Lost (PYLL)
Definition:
Potential years of life lost (PYLL) (unintentional injuries, ICD-9 E800-E929,
excluding E870-E879) is the number of years of life "lost" when a person
dies "prematurely" from unintentional injuries - before age 75. A person
dying at age 25, for example, has lost 50 years of life.
Potential years of life lost are calculated by taking the median age
in each age group, subtracting from 75, and multiplying by the number
of deaths in that age group disaggregated by sex and cause of death.
These data are presented as a count (total PYLL) and as a rate per 100,000
population.
Sources:
Statistics Canada, Vital Statistics, Death Database, and Demography Division
(population estimates)
Suicide Potential Years of Life Lost (PYLL)
Definition:
Potential years of life lost (PYLL) (suicides, ICD-9 E950-E959) is the
number of years of life "lost" when a person dies "prematurely" from suicide
- before age 75. A person dying at age 25, for example, has lost 50 years
of life.
Potential years of life lost are calculated by taking the median age
in each age group, subtracting from 75, and multiplying by the number
of deaths in that age group disaggregated by sex and cause of death.
These data are presented as a count (total PYLL) and as a rate per 100,000
population.
Sources:
Statistics Canada, Vital Statistics, Death Database, and Demography Division
(population estimates)
AIDS deaths Potential Years of Life Lost
(PYLL)
Definition:
Potential years of life lost (PYLL) (AIDS and HIV infections (ICD-9 042-044))
is the number of years of life "lost" when a person dies "prematurely" from
AIDS/HIV – before age 75. A person dying at age 25, for example, has
lost 50 years of life.
Potential years of life lost are calculated by taking the median age
in each age group, subtracting from 75, and multiplying by the number
of deaths in that age group disaggregated by sex and cause of death.
These data are presented as a count (total PYLL) and as a rate per 100,000
population.
Sources:
Statistics Canada, Vital Statistics, Death Database, and Demography Division
(population estimates)
|
