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Health-promoting factors and good health among Canadians in mid- to late life
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by Pamela L. Ramage-Morin, Margot Shields and Laurent Martel
Abstract
Keywords
Findings
Authors
Abstract
According to results from the Canadian Community Health Survey―Healthy Aging, 76% of Canadians in mid-life (45 to 64) and 56% of seniors reported good health in 2009. This is based on a definition of health composed of: positive self-perceived general and mental health, functional ability, and independence in activities of daily living. Good health existed even in the presence of chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, arthritis and back problems, all of which were common among people aged 45 or older. Eight modifiable factors were associated with good health: smoking status, body mass index, physical activity, diet, sleep, oral health, stress, and social participation. Eighty-four percent of the younger age group and 91% of seniors reported positive tendencies on four or more of these factors. The more factors on which positive tendencies were reported, the greater the likelihood of having good health.
Keywords
aging, chronic conditions, cross-sectional study, determinants of health, health status, health survey, IADL
Findings
Like many nations, Canada is about to face an unprecedented era of population aging. From 8% fifty years ago, it is projected that Canadian seniors will comprise 23% to 25% of the population in about 25 years’ time.1 A major contributor to this demographic shift is the baby-boom cohort, defined as those born from 1946 to 1965. The senior ranks will swell rapidly starting in 2011 when the first baby-boomers turn 65. Based on data from the 2009 Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS)―Healthy Aging, this article addresses issues faced by the senior population, comparing them with people in the 45 to 64 age range.[Full text]
Authors
Pamela L. Ramage-Morin (613-951-1760, Pamela.Ramage-Morin@statcan.gc.ca) and Margot Shields (613-951-4177; Margot.Shields@statcan.gc.ca) are with the Health Analysis Division and Laurent Martel (613-951-2352; Laurent.Martel@statcan.gc.ca) is with Demography Division at Statistics Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0T6.
