September 13, 2023 | Ottawa, Ontario
Statistics Canada is pleased to publish its first annual Health of Canadians report. This report brings together important health data, both for the population overall and for specific groups.
Designed to provide a comprehensive portrait of population health in Canada, this report brings together key statistics on population health including, health outcomes (e.g., chronic conditions), health behaviours (e.g., exercise, nutrition), access to health care (e.g., unmet health care needs) and determinants of health (e.g., age, income).
"Statistics Canada plays a leading role in collecting, analyzing, and reporting on health statistics and we thank Canadians for continuing to participate in our health surveys. The results are used by our federal, provincial and territorial partners, as well as health professionals, researchers, and policymakers across the country to inform policies and plans, leading to better, more equitable health outcomes for all Canadians. Statistics Canada remains committed to improving access to health data, including disaggregated data to achieve better health outcomes for all Canadians."
Anil Arora, Chief Statistician of Canada
Report highlights
- Canadians are living longer and spending more years in good health. In 2021, life expectancy at birth was 81.6 years overall with males living an average of 79.3 years and females living an average of 84.0 years.
- Self-rated mental health has declined from 2015 (72.4%) to 2021 (59.0%), especially among young adults aged 18 to 34 (-21 percentage points).
- 45.1% of Canadians lived with at least one major chronic disease in 2021.
- Almost 2.5 million Canadians reported unmet health care needs in 2021.
- The proportion of Canadians aged 12 years and older who met the physical activity guidelines and proportion of those who consume five or more servings of fruits and vegetables per day in 2021 has declined since 2015.
- The percentage of daily or almost daily cannabis use and current smoking is higher among people with lower incomes, unlike heavy drinking, which was greater among people with higher incomes.
Contact
Statistics Canada
Media Relations
statcan.mediahotline-ligneinfomedias.statcan@statcan.gc.ca