Health Fact Sheets
Chronic Conditions, 2016
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Arthritis
In 2016, 20.6% of Canadians aged 15 and older (roughly 6.1 million people) reported that they had been diagnosed with arthritis by a health professional.Note 1Note 2 This proportion remained consistent with 2015 (20.4%).Note 3
In 2015 and 2016 females were more likely than males to report that they had arthritis. In 2016, the chronic condition was prevalent among 23.9% of females and 17.3% of males. Among both sexes, the percentage reporting arthritis increased with age, with the highest prevalence among those aged 75 and older (Chart 1).
Data table for Chart 1
| Age group (years) | Percent | Confidence Interval | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower 95% limit | Upper 95% limit | ||
| Males | |||
| Total (15 and older) | 17.3 | 16.6 | 18.0 |
| 15 to 34 | 2.4 | 1.8 | 2.9 |
| 35 to 49 | 11.9 | 10.3 | 13.5 |
| 50 to 64 | 26.4 | 24.7 | 28.1 |
| 65 to 74 | 34.8 | 32.7 | 37.0 |
| 75 and older | 44.5 | 41.6 | 47.4 |
| Females | |||
| Total (15 and older) | 23.9 | 23.1 | 24.6 |
| 15 to 34 | 3.5 | 2.8 | 4.1 |
| 35 to 49 | 13.6 | 12.2 | 15.0 |
| 50 to 64 | 33.7 | 31.8 | 35.6 |
| 65 to 74 | 50.1 | 47.9 | 52.3 |
| 75 and older | 60.2 | 57.7 | 62.7 |
|
Note: Population aged 15 and over who report that they have been diagnosed by a health professional as having arthritis, excluding fybromyalgia. Source: Canadian Community Health Survey, 2016. |
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In 2016, life satisfaction was lower amongst those with arthritis. Of arthritis sufferers in 2016, 85.5% reported they were satisfied or very satisfied with life compared with 94.1% of those who did not have arthritis.
High blood pressure
In 2016, 17.7% of Canadians aged 12 and older (roughly 5.4 million people) reported that they had been diagnosed with high blood pressure.Note 4 The proportion of males aged 12 and older who reported that they had been diagnosed with high blood pressure increased from 2015 (16.6%) to 2016 (18.3%). For females, there was no change between 2015 and 2016.
The percentage of males reporting high blood pressure increased with age until the 65 to 74 age group. There was no significant difference between males aged 65 to 74 and males aged 75 and older. The highest percentage of females reporting high blood pressure was among females aged 75 and older, with 52.0% of females within this age group reporting the condition.
The prevalence of high blood pressure was higher for males than females between the ages of 12 and 64, while after age 75 the reverse was true. Between the ages of 65 and 74, the proportion was similar for both sexes (Chart 2).
Data table for Chart 2
| Age group (years) | Percent | Confidence Interval | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower 95% limit | Upper 95% limit | ||
| Males | |||
| Total (12 and older) | 18.3 | 17.6 | 18.9 |
| 12 to 34 | 2.7 | 2.2 | 3.3 |
| 35 to 49 | 12.7 | 11.0 | 14.4 |
| 50 to 64 | 28.1 | 26.4 | 29.9 |
| 65 to 74 | 41.5 | 39.0 | 44.0 |
| 75 and older | 44.4 | 41.2 | 47.3 |
| Females | |||
| Total (12 and older) | 17.1 | 16.5 | 17.7 |
| 12 to 34 | 1.9 | 1.4 | 2.3 |
| 35 to 49 | 8.0 | 6.7 | 9.3 |
| 50 to 64 | 22.8 | 21.1 | 24.5 |
| 65 to 74 | 42.1 | 39.8 | 44.3 |
| 75 and older | 52.0 | 49.4 | 54.5 |
|
Note: Population aged 12 and over who report that they have been diagnosed by a health professional as having high blood pressure. Source: Canadian Community Health Survey, 2016. |
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ObeseNote 5 Canadians aged 18 and over were almost three times as likely as those with a normal weight to have high blood pressure. Among adults within a normal weight range, 10.0% have high blood pressure, compared with 19.2% who were overweight and 29.8% who were obese.
Asthma
In 2016, 8.4% of Canadians aged 12 and older (roughly 2.6 million people) reported that they had been diagnosed with asthma by a health professional. The prevalence of Canadians aged 12 and older who reported that they had been diagnosed with asthma remained stable between 2015 and 2016.
Among the sexes, 9.5% of females and 7.3% of males reported that they had asthma. The prevalence of asthma was highest for males aged 12 to 17 and 18 to 34, while for females the prevalence was about the same across all age groups (Chart 3).
Data table for Chart 3
| Age group (years) | Percent | Confidence Interval | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower 95% limit | Upper 95% limit | ||
| Males | |||
| Total (12 and older) | 7.3 | 6.8 | 7.8 |
| 12 to 17 | 10.4 | 8.7 | 12.1 |
| 18 to 34 | 8.9 | 7.7 | 10.1 |
| 35 to 49 | 6.8 | 5.7 | 7.8 |
| 50 to 64 | 5.5 | 4.6 | 6.4 |
| 65 and older | 6.6 | 5.6 | 7.5 |
| Females | |||
| Total (12 and older) | 9.5 | 8.9 | 10.0 |
| 12 to 17 | 9.4 | 7.6 | 11.2 |
| 18 to 34 | 9.9 | 8.8 | 10.9 |
| 35 to 49 | 8.9 | 7.8 | 10.1 |
| 50 to 64 | 9.9 | 8.7 | 11.0 |
| 65 and older | 9.2 | 8.1 | 10.2 |
|
Note: Population aged 12 and over who report that they have been diagnosed by a health professional as having asthma. Source: Canadian Community Health Survey, 2016. |
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Of Canadians aged 12 and older living with asthma, 47.9% reported that they had asthma symptoms or an asthma attack in the previous 12 months. The proportion who have had an asthma attack was higher for females (53.8%) than for males (40.0%).
Mood disorders
In 2016, 8.4% of Canadians aged 12 and older (roughly 2.6 million people) reported that they had been diagnosed with a mood disorder by a health professional. The proportion of females aged 12 and older who reported that they had been diagnosed with a mood disorder increased from 2015 (9.9%) to 2016 (10.9%). For males, there was no change between 2015 and 2016.
In 2016, a lower percentage of males (5.8%) reported having a mood disorder compared to females (10.9%). Males and females aged 12 to 17 were least likely to report a mood disorder. (Chart 4).
Data table for Chart 4
| Age group (years) | Percent | Confidence Interval | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower 95% limit | Upper 95% limit | ||
| Males | |||
| Total (12 and older) | 5.8 | 5.4 | 6.3 |
| 12 to 17 | 3,2Note E: Use with caution | 2.2 | 4.2 |
| 18 to 34 | 6.5 | 5.5 | 7.5 |
| 35 to 49 | 5.5 | 4.6 | 6.4 |
| 50 to 64 | 7.2 | 6.3 | 8.2 |
| 65 and older | 4.5 | 3.8 | 5.2 |
| Females | |||
| Total (12 and older) | 10.9 | 10.3 | 11.4 |
| 12 to 17 | 6.1 | 4.7 | 7.4 |
| 18 to 34 | 11.9 | 10.7 | 13.1 |
| 35 to 49 | 12.3 | 10.9 | 13.6 |
| 50 to 64 | 12.3 | 11.1 | 13.5 |
| 65 and older | 7.7 | 6.8 | 8.5 |
|
E use with caution Note: Population aged 12 and over who reported that they have been diagnosed by a health professional as having a mood disorder, such as depression, bipolar disorder, mania or dysthymia. Source: Canadian Community Health Survey, 2016. |
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Among Canadians with a mood disorder, 46.9% said their ability to handle unexpected and difficult problems was fair or poor. Comparatively, of those without a mood disorder, only 16.1% said their ability was fair or poor.
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About Chronic Conditions
The Canadian Community Health survey includes questions on multiple chronic health conditions including arthritis, asthma, high blood pressure and mood disorders. Respondents are asked about conditions that are expected to last or have already lasted 6 months or more and that have been diagnosed by a health professional.
- Arthritis describes many conditions that affect joints, the tissue surrounding joints, and other connective tissue. The most common types are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. The resulting pain, stiffness, swelling and/or deformity of the joints can substantially reduce quality of life.Note 6
- Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways that causes coughing, shortness of breath, chest tightness and wheezing. Quality of life can be affected not only by asthma attacks, but also by absences from work and limitations in other activities.Note 7
- High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, increases the risk of stroke, heart attack and kidney failure. It can narrow and block arteries, as well as strain and weaken the body”s organs.Note 8
- Mood disorders, such as depression, bipolar disorder, mania or dysthymia, can greatly affect the lives of those who have them. The impact of depression on job performance has been estimated to be greater than that of chronic conditions such as arthritis, hypertension, back problems and diabetes.Note 9
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References
Chen, Y., H. Johansen, S. Thillaiampalam, and C. Sambell. 2005, “Asthma”. Health Reports. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 82-003. Vol. 16, no. 2. (accessed January 11, 2017)
Gilmour, H. and B. P. Scott. 2007. “Depression and work impairment”. Health Reports. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 82-003 Vol. 18 no. 1. (accessed January 11, 2017)
Heart and Stroke Foundation. http://www.heartandstroke.ca (accessed January 11, 2017).
Johansen, H. 1999. “Living with heart disease—the working—age population”. Health Reports. Statistics Canada, Catalogue no. 82-003. Vol. 10, no. 4. (accessed January 11, 2017)
Johansen, H., M. Nargundkar, C. Nair, G. Taylor, and S. ElSaadany. 1997. “At risk of first or recurring heart disease”. Health Reports. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 82-003. Vol. 9, no. 4. (accessed January 11, 2017)
Orpana, H., L. Lemyre, and R. Gravel. 2009. “Income and psychological distress: The role of the social environment”. Health Reports. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 82-003. Vol. 20, no. 1. (accessed January 11, 2017)
Shields, M. 2006. “Stress and depression in the employed population”. Health Reports. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 82-003. Vol. 17 no. 4. (accessed January 11, 2017)
The Arthritis Society. http://www.arthritis.ca (accessed January 11, 2017).
Wilkins, K. 1999. “Hormone replacement therapy and incident arthritis”. Health Reports. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 82-003. Vol. 11, no. 2. (Accessed January 11, 2017)
Wilkins, K. 2004. “Bipolar I disorder, social support and work”. Health Reports. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 82-003. Vol. 15. (accessed January 11, 2017)
Wilkins, K. 2004. “Incident arthritis in relation to excess weight”. Health Reports. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 82-003. Vol. 15, no. 1. (accessed January 11, 2017)
Wilkins, K., N.R.C. Campbell, and M.R. Joffres. 2010. “Blood pressure in Canadian adults”. Health Reports. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 82-003 Vol. 21, no. 1. (accessed January 11, 2017)
Data
Additional data from the Canadian Community Health Survey are available from CANSIM table 105–0508.
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