News Release                   For Immediate Release

August 31, 2004

Health Behaviours of Southwestern Ontario Residents

A Comprehensive New Report

Health Behaviours and Lifestyle Practices in Southwestern Ontario: Results from the Canadian Community Health Survey (2000/2001) is a new, comprehensive report that provides an in-depth look at key health behaviours and lifestyle practices important to the well-being of the residents of Southwestern Ontario. 

The report provides detailed analyses of health indicators at the local level with regional and provincial comparisons for

·         chronic diseases,

·         health care utilization,

·         cancer prevention and screening,

·         health behaviours (including diet, physical activity, alcohol use, tobacco use) and

·         general health (overall health, stress, flu shots).

A collaborative effort of Southwestern Ontario public health units, district health councils and the Southwest Region Health Information Partnership (SRHIP), the report summarizes information based on Statistics Canada’s Canadian Community Health Survey (2000/2001). 

The Grey-Bruce Picture

The Grey Bruce Health Unit area was found to differ significantly from the province as a whole on some key health indicators:

• More overweight or obese – over half (55%) of Grey-Bruce residents had Body Mass Index (BMI) that classified them as overweight or obese compared to Ontario (48%).

• More regular heavy drinkers – 18% of drinkers in Grey-Bruce were regular heavy drinkers (i.e., more than 5 drinks of alcohol on a single occasion at least once per month or more in the past 12 months) compared to 15%, the Ontario average.

• Low condom use – in Grey-Bruce, among those 15 to 59 years of age at risk for Sexually Transmitted Infections (i.e., more than 1 sexual partner in the past 12 months), only 19% reported that they always used a condom in the past 12 months compared with Ontario (34%). As well, in the Grey Bruce Huron Perth DHC area, only 22% of at-risk males reported using condoms compared to 37%, the Ontario average.

Dr. Hazel Lynn, Medical Officer of Health for Grey-Bruce, says, “These are important indicators of the health of our community.  The report indicates ways that people can improve their health.  These measures include eating healthier foods, getting more exercise, drinking less and practising safer sex.  A report like this helps us monitor our progress on key health behaviours.  In turn, this information helps us plan public health programs to meet the needs of our community.”

 

Southwestern Ontario

The Southwestern Ontario region was also found to differ significantly from the province as a whole on some key health indicators: 

• Less folic acid supplementation prior to pregnancy – only 40% of women took folic acid before their last pregnancy (essential for the healthy development of a baby’s spine, brain and skull during the early weeks of pregnancy) compared to 52% in Ontario.
• Greater exposure to second-hand smoke – 28% reported being exposed to environmental tobacco smoke most days as compared to 25% in Ontario.
• More unmet health care needs – 14% had an unmet health care need compared to 12% in Ontario.

 Dr. Iris Gutmanis, Director, of the Southwest Region Health Information Partnership, says, “Although similar to recently released national reports, this report is unique in that it provides us with a picture of health and lifestyle behaviours of the residents of Southwestern Ontario. Information in this report will be of great assistance in future program planning and evaluation.”  

The Executive Summary and full report (.pdf version) can be found at:  www.srhip.on.ca

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For information regarding the Public Health Unit:

Mariella Vigneux, Public Information Coordinator

Grey Bruce Health Unit

(519) 376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456, ext. 282

For information regarding Grey Bruce Huron Perth District Health Council:

Dave Zago, Health Information Manager

Grey Bruce Huron Perth District Health Council

(519) 348-4498

For information regarding Southwestern Ontario or the overall report:

 

Dr. Iris Gutmanis, Director

Southwest Region Health Information Partnership

(519) 858-5081, ext. 249

Jennifer Sarkella, Population Health Scientist

Southwest Region Health Information Partnership

(519) 858-5081, ext. 250.