A snapshot of the health of Canadians

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Release date: November 29, 2023
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Infographic: A snapshot of the health of Canadians
Description: A snapshot of the health of Canadians

In 2021, almost half (45.1%) of Canadians were living with at least one major chronic disease.Note 1

Excellent or very good general and mental health was lower among people with lower incomes.Note 1


Table 1
Table summary
This table displays the results of Table 1 Canadians who reported excellent or very good general health and Canadians who reported excellent or very good mental health, calculated using percentage units of measure (appearing as column headers).
Canadians who reported excellent or very good general health Canadians who reported excellent or very good mental health
percentage
Lowest household income quintile  49.5% 54.2%
Highest household 68.9% 62.5%

Having three or more chronic conditions increases with age and is higher among women than men in all age groups.Note 1


Table 2
Table summary
This table displays the results of Table 2 Men and Women, calculated using percentage units of measure (appearing as column headers).
Men Women
percentage
35 to 49 years 2.7% 4.6%
50 to 64 years 8.6% 10.3%
65 years and older 22.8% 23.8%

From 2015 to 2021, the percentage of Canadians who engaged in heavy drinkingNote 2 and those who engaged in daily or occasional cigarette smoking declined.Note 1


Table 3
Table summary
This table displays the results of Table 3 2015 and 2021, calculated using percentage units of measure (appearing as column headers).
2015 2021
percentage
Heavy drinking 19.2% 15.6%
Cigarette smoking, daily or occasional 17.7% 11.8%

In 2021, cigarette smoking (daily or occasionally) and cannabis use (daily or almost daily) was higher among people with lower incomes, while heavy drinking was higher among people with higher incomes.Note 1


Table 4
Table summary
This table displays the results of Table 4 Canadians who smoked cigarettes daily or occasionally, Canadians who used cannabis daily or almost daily and Canadians who engaged in heavy drinking, calculated using percentage units of measure (appearing as column headers).
Canadians who smoked cigarettes daily or occasionally Canadians who used cannabis daily or almost daily Canadians who engaged in heavy drinking
percentage
Lowest household income quintile  16.0% 6.8% 11.5%
Highest household income quintile  8.5% 4.1% 21.5%

In 2021, most Canadians (85.5%) had a regular health care provider. Of these, 58.3% reported waiting three days or less to see their regular health care provider for a minor health problem.


Table 5
Table summary
This table displays the results of Table 5. The information is grouped by Proportion of Canadians who waited three days or less to see their regular health care provider for a minor health problem, by province (2021) or territory (2017/2018) (appearing as row headers), (appearing as column headers).
Proportion of Canadians who waited three days or less to see their regular health care provider for a minor health problem, by province (2021) or territory (2017/2018)
Province or territory Percentage
N.L 44.7%
P.E.I. 50.8%
N.S. 31.9%
N.B. 38.3%
Que. 46.6%
Ont. 65.3%
Man. 61.3%
Sask. 62.6%
Alta. 66.3%
B.C. 55.4%
Y.T. 50.1%
N.W.T. 49.3%
Nvt. 72.4%

Source: Source: Statistics Canada, Canadian Community Health Survey, 2015 to 2021.

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Published by authority of the Minister responsible for Statistics Canada.

© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of Industry, 2023

Use of this publication is governed by the Statistics Canada Open Licence Agreement.

Catalogue no. 11-627-M

Frequency: Occasional

Ottawa

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