Table 8
Changes, by category, in self-rated health since 1994/1995, by age group, Canada


                                                        Self-rated health changes from 1994/1995 to 2004/2005 
  Number  %
Health improvement  
Total, 12 years and over 588,956 2.7
12 to 19 years 74,858 E 2.2 E
20 to 34 years 139,893 E 2.3 E
35 to 44 years 90,233 E 1.9 E
45 to 64 years 215,021 4.0
65 years and over 68,951 E 4.0 E
Health deterioration  
Total, 12 years and over 1,195,883 5.6
12 to 19 years 75,064 E 2.2 E
20 to 34 years 201,859 3.3
35 to 44 years 260,656 5.4
45 to 64 years 394,374 7.3
65 years and over 263,930 15.3
Same self-rated health  
Total, 12 years and over 16,208,829 75.6
12 to 19 years 2,852,077 83.4
20 to 34 years 5,000,229 82.2
35 to 44 years 3,820,503 79.0
45 to 64 years 3,671,668 68.3
65 years and over 864,352 50.2
Health improvements and deteriorations  
Total, 12 years and over 3,434,044 16.0
12 to 19 years 416,063 12.2
20 to 34 years 738,884 12.2
35 to 44 years 664,148 13.7
45 to 64 years 1,091,971 20.3
65 years and over 522,978 30.4

1. The table shows the changes in self-rated health of the 1994/1995 household population aged 12 and over every 2 years from cycle 1 to cycle 6 of the National Population Health Survey. Population, age, sex, Canada and province are based on the first survey cycle (cycle 1) in 1994/1995.
2. The table excludes persons who died or who were institutionalized after cycle 1 survey interview in 1994/1995. Estimated number of persons who have died: 287 persons after cycle 2, 599 persons after cycle 3, 957 persons after cycle 4, 1,279 persons after cycle 5 and 1,640 persons after cycle 6. These data are not all confirmed yet with the Canadian Vital Statistics Database. Persons living in an institution are excluded because they are not asked certain questions. Estimated number of persons who have been institutionalized: 62 persons at cycle 2, 114 persons at cycle 3, 135 persons at cycle 4, 161 persons at cycle 5 and 144 persons at cycle 6.
3. The table also excludes children under 12 and non-response (missing values), that is, "not applicable", "don't know", "refusal" and "not stated".
4. No estimates for self-rated health are provided for 1994/1995; what is shown instead are the changes in self-rated health. For estimates on self-rated health in 1994/1995, please refer to Health Indicators CANSIM table 104-0022, "Health status, Well-being".
5. Percentages are based on the population with a specific characteristic (one category) in a given cycle as the numerator divided by the total population in 1994/1995 having all possible characteristics (all categories) as the denominator, excluding missing values.
6. Bootstrapping techniques were used to produce the coefficient of variation (CV) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).
7. Data with a coefficient of variation (CV) from 16.6% to 33.3% are identified by an (E) and should be interpreted with caution.
8. Data with a coefficient of variation (CV) greater than 33.3% were suppressed (F) due to extreme sampling variability.
9. Changes in self-rated health of the 1994/1995 population during each consecutive survey cycle from 1994/1995 to 2004/2005 are based on the 2004/2005 longitudinal full cycle 1 to cycle 6 subset of respondents (from 2004/2005 longitudinal data file). This subset contains all panel members with a complete (full) response in cycle 1 (1994/1995), cycle 2 (1996/1997), cycle 3 (1998/1999), cycle 4 (2000/2001), cycle 5 (2002/2003) and cycle 6 (2004/2005). Number of respondents for this table (excluding missing values): 8,525.
Note(s): When comparing estimates, it is important to use confidence intervals to determine if differences between values are statistically significant. Confidence intervals describe sampling variability and give an indication of the precision of a given estimate. Please note that confidence intervals and coefficient of variations are provided in the CANSIM tables.
Source(s): Statistics Canada, National Population Health Survey, 2004/2005 longitudinal data file (CANSIM table 104-7018).