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A Canadian peer-reviewed journal of population health and health services research

December 2010

Validation of cognitive functioning categories in the Canadian Community Health Survey - Healthy Aging

by Leanne Findlay, Julie Bernier, Holly Tuokko, Susan Kirkland and Heather Gilmour

While cognitive decline is not an inevitable consequence of aging, it is more prevalent at older ages. In 2006, one in seven Canadians (13.7% of the total population) was aged 65 or older. Among these seniors, the percentage aged 80 or older continues to grow, as does the number of centenarians. These trends suggest that a rise in the prevalence of cognitive impairment can be anticipated.

Trends in long-term care staffing by facility ownership in British Columbia, 1996 to 2006

by Margaret J. McGregor, Robert B. Tate, Lisa A. Ronald, Kimberlyn M. McGrail, Michelle B. Cox, Whitney Berta and Anne-Marie Broemeling

Long-term care facilities (nursing homes) provide housing, support and direct care to frail seniors who are unable to function independently. Nursing care in these facilities is provided by a combination of registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and resident care aides. Higher total nursing and RN hours per resident day have been associated with better care. Thus, nursing hours per resident-day is considered to be one reasonable measure of nursing home quality.

Chronic pain at ages 12 to 44

by Pamela L. Ramage-Morin and Heather Gilmour

Pain lasting for several months, or persisting after an injury has healed, is considered chronic. Chronic pain affects not only individuals, but also their families, the health care system, and society as a whole. It may lead to other health concerns such as eating problems, sleep disturbances and fatigue. Absences from school, work and social activities have been linked to chronic pain. People may lose or change jobs, and in more extreme cases, cannot work at all. Mental health may be compromised; chronic pain has been associated with anxiety, depression, loneliness, and suicide ideation and attempts.

November 2010

Recent trends in upper respiratory infections, ear infections and asthma among young Canadian children

by Eleanor M. Thomas

Upper respiratory (nose and throat) infections, otitis media (ear infection and infl ammation) and asthma affect large numbers of young children.This article uses data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth (NLSCY) to report trends from 1994/1995 to 2008/2009 in the prevalence of these conditions among children in Canada. Data on upper respiratory infections and ear infections are available for 2- to 3-year-olds, and data on asthma are available for children aged 2 to 7. Gender, age and regional differences in the occurrence of these conditions are examined. Possible links with exposure to cigarette smoke are considered.

Asthma and school functioning

by Dafna Kohen

The prevalence of asthma has been increasing among Canadian children and youth. Compared with other children, those with asthma are in poorer health, are limited in daily activities, and experience more visits to health care professionals and hospitalizations. They also miss more school than children who do not have the condition. In fact, asthma has been reported to be the leading cause of school absence.

October 2010

Neighbourhood variation in hospitalization for unintentional injury among children and teenagers

by Lisa N. Oliver and Dafna E. Kohen

Unintentional injury of children and teenagers has been identified as a public health problem in Canada. In 2004, unintentional injuries were responsible for 30,345 hospitalizations of children and youth aged 0 to 19. About one-fifth of all acute-care inpatient hospitalization costs for children in 2003/2004 were attributable to injuries and poisonings. Severe injury and trauma in childhood are associated with disability and poor health-related quality of life in both the short- and long-term. Moreover, unintentional injury is the leading cause of death among Canadian children and teenagers, accounting for 664 deaths in 2004.

Socio-economic status and vitamin/mineral supplement use in Canada

by Hassanali Vatanparast, Jennifer L. Adolphe and Susan J. Whiting

The use of supplements can increase daily intake of vitamins and minerals (micronutrients) beyond what is obtained from food alone, and thus, may confer health benefits, including chronic disease prevention.

Combining nutrient intake from food/beverages and vitamin/mineral supplements

by Didier Garriguet

The 2004 Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS)―Nutrition was the first in more than 30 years to study Canadians' eating habits. One of the goals was to determine total usual intake of selected nutrients. To that end, the CCHS collected information about food and beverage consumption, based on a 24-hour recall.

September 2010

H1N1 vaccination

by Heather Gilmour and Nancy Hofmann

The H1N1 flu virus, a new influenza strain to which most people have no natural immunity, emerged in April 2009. In June of that year, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced "the start of the 2009 influenza pandemic" and raised its influenza pandemic alert to phase 6, the highest level. Phase 6 indicates that the same identified virus has caused sustained outbreaks in two or more countries in one WHO region and in at least one other country in another WHO region. A year later, 214 countries had reported H1N1 cases, with more than 18,000 deaths world-wide. In Canada, 428 people died from H1N1, and thousands more were infected. In August 2010, the WHO announced that the world was "now in the post-pandemic period."