Dental care use by immigrant Canadians in Ontario: a cross-sectional analysis of the 2014 Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS)

Purpose. To examine relationships between leisure time physical activity (LTPA) and health services utilization (H) in a nationally representative sample of community-dwelling older adults.Methods. Cross-sectional data from 56,652 Canadian Community Health Survey respondents aged ≥ 50 years (48% M; 52% F; mean age 63.5 ± 10.2 years) were stratified into three age groups and analysed using multivariate generalized linear modeling techniques. Participants were classified according to PA level based on self-reported daily energy expenditure. Nonleisure PA (NLPA) was categorized into four levels ranging from mostly sitting to mostly lifting objects.Results. Active 50–65-year-old individuals were 27% less likely to report any GP consultationsORadj=0.73; P<0.001and had 8% fewer GP consultations annually(IRRadj=0.92; P<0.01)than their inactive peers. Active persons aged 65–79 years were 18% less likely than inactive respondents to have been hospitalized overnight in the previous year(ORadj=0.82, P<0.05). Higher levels of NLPA were significantly associated with lower levels of HSU, across all age groups.Conclusion. Nonleisure PA appeared to be a stronger predictor of all types of HSU, particularly in the two oldest age groups. Considering strategies that focus on reducing time spent in sedentary activities may have a positive impact on reducing the demand for health services.

Download Full-text

Population health indicators across Ontario’s Public Health Units: a cross-sectional analysis of the Canadian Community Health Survey

Environmental Health Review ◽

10.5864/d2021-018 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 64 (3) ◽

pp. 68-78

Author(s):

Suman Kanoatova ◽

Eric N. Liberda ◽

M. Anne Harris

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Community Health ◽

Health Survey ◽

Health Indicators ◽

Health Inequities ◽

Canadian Community Health Survey ◽

Health Programs ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Public Health Programs ◽

Community Health Survey

Background Currently, 34 public health units (PHUs) in Ontario deliver public health programs and services to reduce preventable diseases, promote and protect health of their communities, and reduce persistent health inequities. Changes to the structure of Ontario PHUs have been proposed. This analysis compares the current 34 Ontario PHUs based on key health indicators for the purpose of determining local health needs in delivering public health programs and as a baseline for measuring the effect of any future changes to PHU structure. Methods We used data from the 2015–2016 Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS), a voluntary cross-sectional survey about health status of Canadians. Twenty-one health indicators measured by the CCHS and particularly relevant to PHU responsibilities were identified and compared across units. In this descriptive, cross-sectional analyses we used survey-weighted frequency calculations of the selected indicator variables by PHU and χ2 analyses to test differences in indicator distribution across PHU. Results All indicators except for sex were distributed unevenly by PHU. We particularly highlight differences across units in modifiable indicators and risk factors such as obesity, fruit and vegetable consumption, physical inactivity, smoking, and access to primary care physicians. Impact of the study While all PHUs strive towards the same mandated responsibilities, considerable variations in health indicators exist between health units. This underscores the necessity for PHUs to tailor programs and deliver services based on local needs. Future changes to PHU structure must be tested against baseline to determine if they ameliorate or exacerbate health inequities in Ontario.

Download Full-text