Canadian Health Measures Survey: Non-environmental and environmental laboratory data, 2022 to 2024

Released: 2026-03-10

New analyses from the Canadian Health Measures (CHMS) show that the levels of several important health-related biomarkers measured in the blood of Canadians remain unchanged from before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Today's release includes updates to several data tables covering a broad set of laboratory data that includes biomarkers for cardiovascular health and diabetes (e.g., cholesterol, glucose and glycated hemoglobin A1c), nutrition (e.g., vitamin D) and more.

Cholesterol and cardiovascular disease risk

The CHMS is a national health survey that measures a wide array of biomarkers in the blood and urine of Canadians aged 1 to 79. In its most recent cycle, conducted from 2022 to 2024, the survey also measured the levels of risk factors for cardiovascular health—such as cholesterol, which is fat-like substances produced by the liver and absorbed from food, and essential for health. However, not all cholesterol is equal, and understanding the difference between its types is key to evaluating cardiovascular health.

During the period from 2022 to 2024, the average high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) among adults aged 20 to 79 was 1.30 mmol/L for males and 1.57 mmol/L for females. This was essentially unchanged from the 2018-to-2019 period when average levels were 1.24 mmol/L for males and 1.59 mmol/L for females. HDL-C is considered "good" because it helps remove excess cholesterol from the bloodstream. Levels greater than 1.0 mmol/L for males and greater than 1.3 mmol/L for females are considered ideal.

In contrast, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), often known as "bad" cholesterol, can accumulate in the arteries and increase cardiovascular disease risk. The average LDL-C among adults aged 20 to 79 was 2.8 mmol/L during the period from 2022 to 2024, the same as during the period from 2018 to 2019. Although these averages were stable across the two periods, it is important to note that LDL-C levels above 3.5 mmol/L are often seen as too high for many adults, depending on their cardiovascular risk.

Cardiovascular disease risk is known to increase with age. However, for the period from 2022 to 2024, LDL-C levels were not significantly different across age groups. Average LDL-C was 2.8 mmol/L for those aged 20 to 39 compared with 2.9 mmol/L for those aged 40 to 59 and 2.6 mmol/L for those aged 60 to 79. Some statistically significant differences in HDL-C levels were observed between adults aged 20 to 39 and the two older age groups, with levels of 1.38 mmol/L among 20 to 39 compared with 1.44 among adults aged 40 to 59 and 1.49 among those aged 60 to 79. Overall, average results were well within recommended ranges for all ages.

Glucose and hemoglobin A1c: diabetes-related biomarkers

The CHMS also measures glucose and glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), two diabetes-related biomarkers. Fasting blood glucose shows the amount of glucose in the blood at a point in time, whereas HbA1c shows average blood glucose levels in recent months. Fasted blood glucose and HbA1c can be used in the diagnosis of diabetes and prediabetes.

For the period from 2022 to 2024, the average fasting blood glucose level among adults aged 20 to 79 was 5.6 mmol/L and the average HbA1c was 5.4%, both of which were unchanged from the 2018-to-2019 period. Fasting blood glucose levels below 6.0 mmol/L and HbA1c levels below 6.0% are considered healthy.

When these data are combined with information on diagnosed conditions and the upcoming data on medication use (which will be available later this year), the CHMS can offer insights into the rates of undiagnosed, untreated and uncontrolled diabetes.

Nutrition-related biomarkers

Vitamin D is one of several nutrition-related biomarkers are measured in the CHMS. These biomarkers help assess inadequate or excess intake of certain nutrients and the relationship between nutritional status and certain health outcomes. Vitamin D level is evaluated by measuring the serum concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), the primary circulating form of vitamin D in the bloodstream. Health Canada uses a serum 25(OH)D level of 40 nmol/L as the threshold for assessing adequacy in populations. Levels below this cut-off may indicate inadequate vitamin D intake.

During the period from 2022 to 2024, the average vitamin D level in Canadians aged 3 to 79 was 69 nmol/L, which is not significantly different from the 65 nmol/L reported in the 2018-to-2019 period.

Other examples of nutrition-related biomarkers include vitamin B12, iron and folate. Considered alongside what Canadians eat, the supplements they take and the influences on their food choices, nutrition biomarker data provide a clearer understanding of nutrition concerns across the population.

Human biomonitoring of environmental chemicals in Canada

Beyond chronic disease indicators like cholesterol and diabetes, the CHMS also monitors exposure to environmental chemicals. Data include measurements of lead, mercury and cadmium, taken as part of the Human Biomonitoring of Environmental Chemicals program at Health Canada. Results for these and other environmental chemicals are available through the Canadian Biomonitoring Dashboard, an interactive online tool. Updates to human biomonitoring fact sheets on lead, mercury and cadmium will also be available soon.

Many of the chemicals have been included as part of the CHMS since its first cycle (2007 to 2009) and have helped to establish baseline levels of chemicals in the Canadian population, assessed changes in exposures over time, and informed research and regulatory activities.

Contact information

For more information, or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact us (toll-free 1-800-263-1136; 514-283-8300; infostats@statcan.gc.ca) or Media Relations (statcan.mediahotline-ligneinfomedias.statcan@statcan.gc.ca).