By collecting information about health at the community level, the Canadian Community Health Survey aims to
- support local health units by providing them with the timely information they need to evaluate existing programs and to design new ones suited to their communities
- provide more current, detailed and uniform health information in every province and territory.
Results of our surveys are used for policy-making and program development that affect Canadian communities. The Canadian Community Health Survey has already been instrumental in drawing attention to emerging health issues, such as COVID-19 vaccine willingness.
Your information may also be used by Statistics Canada for other statistical and research purposes. In addition, information from partially completed or unsaved questionnaires may be retained and used.
-
Block Information Confidentiality
Confidentiality
Data are collected under the authority of the Statistics Act, Revised Statutes of Canada, 1985, Chapter S-19. Your information will be kept strictly confidential.
-
Block Information on Data sharing agreements and record linkage
Data sharing agreements and record linkage
Data sharing agreements
To avoid duplication of surveys, Statistics Canada has signed agreements to share the data from this survey with provincial and territorial ministries of health, the Institut de la Statistique du Québec, Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada. The Institut de la Statistique du Québec and provincial ministries of health may make this data available to local health authorities.
Data shared with your ministry of health or the Institut de la Statistique du Québec may also include identifiers such as name, address, telephone number and health card number. Health Canada, the Public Health Agency of Canada, and local health authorities, would receive only survey responses and the postal code.
These organizations have agreed to keep the data confidential and use it only for statistical purposes. Statistics Canada will only share the data provided with your consent.
To reduce the number of questions in this questionnaire, Statistics Canada will use information from your tax forms submitted to the Canada Revenue Agency. With your consent Statistics Canada will share this information from your tax forms with provincial and territorial ministries of health, the Institut de la Statistique du Québec, Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada. These organizations have agreed to keep the information confidential and to use it only for statistical and research purposes.
Statistics Canada will only share your tax information with these organizations with your permission.
Record linkage
To enhance the data from this survey and to minimize the reporting burden for respondents, Statistics Canada will combine your responses with information from the tax data of all members of your household. Statistics Canada, the provincial/territorial ministry of health and the Institut de la Statistique du Québec may also add information from other surveys or administrative sources.
Examples of potential studies that could be done using record linkage:
- Survey information on physical activity could be linked with information on doctor billings to determine whether costs to the health care system are lower for people who are active.
- Data on chronic conditions could be linked to information from a seniors' medication insurance program to find out which types of medications are most commonly prescribed for conditions like arthritis or hypertension.
-
Block Information on Topics covered in the survey
Topics covered in the survey
Participants will be asked questions on multiple topics such as the perception of their physical and mental health state, on chronic conditions, the use of health care services, and behaviors related to health such as smoking, physical activity, consumption of fruits and vegetables and alcohol use.
Data are also collected on a variety of socio-demographics. These data allow for health analysis for specific population groups (by age groups, geography, etc.)
-
Block Information on Published data
Published data
Statistics Canada publishes the results of its surveys in many formats. To find all the documents related to this survey, follow the links below and type the name of the survey in the search engine located at the left of your screen to filter the results.
Data: You will find tables, profiles of a community or region, thematic maps, public use microdata files, and data visualization tools.
Analysis: You will have direct access to Stats in brief (e.g., releases from The Daily, fact sheets), articles and reports, and journals and periodicals.
-
Block Information on Survey-specific questions
Survey-specific questions
- What is the purpose of this survey?
- What kinds of questions will I be asked?
- Do I have to participate in this survey?
- Who has access to the survey data that you collect?
- How will you safeguard the confidentiality of my information?
- When and how will the results of the survey be made available to the public?
What is the purpose of this survey?
The purpose of the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) is to support all levels of government by providing them with timely/up-to-date information they need to evaluate existing policies and programs and to design new ones suited to the needs of Canadians and their communities. It also aims to provide more current, detailed and uniform health information in every province and territory.
What kinds of questions will I be asked?
The survey asks a variety of questions about the current state of your health, behaviours that may be related to your health, your use of health care services, as well as socio-demographic information (e.g. age, education, etc.) concerning your household
Do I have to participate in this survey?
Health is an important part of everyone's life. For the results to be representative, it is important that we have data from all spectrums of the Canadian population, including those in good and poor health.
Your participation in this survey is voluntary, however, your participation will help to ensure that survey results are complete and representative of the entire population.
Who has access to the survey data that you collect?
There is a data-sharing agreement between Statistics Canada, Health Canada, the Public Health Agency of Canada, the provincial and territorial ministries of health, as well as the Institut de la statistique du Québec (for Québec data), to share the information collected from this survey. The purpose of this is to reduce the burden on respondents, and to reduce the cost of data collection. The information you provide to us can only be shared with your consent. These organisations are also prohibited by law from disclosing any identifiable information based on data collected by Statistics Canada.
How will you safeguard the confidentiality of my information?
As with all Statistics Canada surveys, any information provided will remain confidential pursuant to the Statistics Act.
Statistics Canada takes the privacy of Canadians very seriously. Published data can never identify you or your household.
To find out more about the measures in place to safeguard the confidentiality of your information, visit Statistics Canada's Trust Centre.
When and how will the results of the survey be made available to the public?
The survey results are made available to the public on the Statistics Canada website, at approximately 700 public libraries across Canada, and through media coverage. Results from the survey will be available in the summer following the current collection year.
-
Block Information on Related surveys
Related surveys
- For more information about this survey: