Health Reports
A Canadian peer-reviewed journal of population health and health services research
January 2025
Mapping the Washington Group on Disability Statistics disability measure to the Health Utilities Index Mark 3: Development and validation of a predictive multivariable model in a general population sample
by Thomas Charters, Dafna Kohen and Julie Bernier
Population health surveys commonly collect information on health status as represented by functional abilities. Questions assess ability levels of respondents carrying out various tasks or activities in addition to health states that may impede this functioning. Disability is a related concept, involving interactions between these elements of functional status and environmental factors that limit or restrict participation in society. The Washington Group on Disability Statistics (WG) measure of disability was developed by an international consortium and sponsored by the United Nations Statistical Commission. The purpose of the WG was to develop an internationally comparable population-based measure of disability to be used in censuses or national surveys, through measurement of functional limitations across domains closely associated with social participation. To facilitate comparability across different countries and cultural contexts, the WG measure assesses functional health through difficulties with universal basic activities. While the WG measures were developed within the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health framework, they do not include social or environmental factors implicit to this framework for reasons of brevity and comparability. The WG measures are intended to be used in conjunction with other information sources to highlight inequalities between limitations in health and functioning and social inclusion, and thereby targets for intervention as per the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. The validity and reliability of the WG measure have been demonstrated in international contexts, and the WG measure has been adopted in censuses or surveys in over 80 countries.
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Mapping the Washington Group on Disability Statistics disability measure to the Health Utilities Index Mark 3: Development and validation of a predictive multivariable model in a general population sample
- Orpana HM, Ross N, Feeny D, McFarland B, Bernier J, Kaplan M. The natural history of health-related quality of life: a 10-year cohort study. Health Reports. 2009; 20(1).
Are adolescents who do physical activity with their parents more active and mentally healthier?
by Anaelle Cohen, Justin J. Lang, Stephanie A. Prince, Rachel C. Colley, Mark S. Tremblay and Jean-Philippe Chaput
Adolescence is a critical period for the development of physical and mental health.1 Fostering positive mental health during this period is essential for promoting overall health and well-being, which has positive implications across the lifespan. Approximately 14% of adolescents aged 10 to 19 years worldwide exhibit mental health issues, accounting for 13% of the worldwide burden of disease for this age group. Mental health concerns among adolescents include emotional disorders such as anxiety and symptoms of depression. From 2011 to 2018, the prevalence of diagnosed mood disorders (including depression) among Canadian youth rose from 4.3% to 7.8%, while anxiety disorders increased from 6.0% to 12.9%. These conditions can adversely influence adolescents’ academic performance, lead to social isolation and loneliness, and in severe cases, depression may result in suicide.
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Are adolescents who do physical activity with their parents more active and mentally healthier?
- Colley RC, Clarke J, Doyon CY, et al. Do fit kids have fit parents? Health Reports. 2021; 32(1): DOI: https://www.doi.org/10.25318/82-003-x202100100001-eng
- Bang F, Roberts KC, Chaput JP, et al. Physical activity, screen time and sleep duration: combined associations with psychosocial health among Canadian children and youth. Health Reports. 2020; 31(5): DOI: https://www.doi.org/10.25318/82-003-x202000500002-eng
- Garriguet D, Colley R, Bushnik T. Parent-child association in physical activity and sedentary behaviour. Health Reports. 2017; 28(6).
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