Health Reports
A Canadian peer-reviewed journal of population health and health services research
April 2025
Understanding mortality differentials of Black adults in Canada
by Toyib Olaniyan, Tanya Christidis, Matthew Quick, Tafadzwa Machipisa, Tolulope Sajobi, Jude Kong, Kwame Mckenzie and Michael Tjepkema
Aprior analysis using the Canadian Census Health and Environment Cohorts (CanCHECs) highlighted elevated risks of mortality from certain causes among Black adults, compared with White adults. Notably, Black males had an increased relative mortality risk from HIV/AIDS, prostate cancer, diabetes, and cerebrovascular diseases compared with White males. Similarly, relative to White females, Black females were observed to have higher mortality risks from HIV/AIDS, diabetes, stomach cancer, corpus uteri cancer, lymphomas, and multiple myeloma. These differential mortality risks were observed after accounting for known social determinants of health variables available on the CanCHEC. This also echoes the disproportional increased risk of self-reported diabetes and cardiovascular diseases reported among Black participants in a study that combined nine cycles (2001 to 2012) of the Canadian Community Health Survey. This study found no association or impact of socioeconomic status in the reported differential risks.
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Understanding mortality differentials of Black adults in Canada
- Tjepkema, M., Christidis, T., Olaniyan, T. & Hwee, J. Mortality inequalities of Black adults in Canada. Health Reports. 2023; 34(2) DOI: https://www.doi.org/10.25318/82-003-x202300200001-eng
- Tjepkema, M., Christidis, T., Bushnik, T. & Pinault, L. Cohort profile: The Canadian Census Health and Environment Cohorts (CanCHECs). Health Reports. 2019; 30(12) DOI: https://www.doi.org/10.25318/82-003-x201901200003-eng
Sense of control and positive mental health outcomes among adults in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic
by Colin A. Capaldi, Kinda Wassef, Melanie Varin, Eric Vallières and Karen C. Roberts
The COVID-19 pandemic was a challenging time for many. Indeed, there are indications that some aspects of the population’s positive mental health in Canada declined during the pandemic. Positive mental health is defined by the Public Health Agency of Canada as “the capacity of each and all of us to feel, think, [and] act in ways that enhance our ability to enjoy life and deal with the challenges we face.” Various indicators can be used to monitor different aspects of positive mental health for public health surveillance and research purposes. National surveillance data showed that fewer adults in Canada reported high self-rated mental health and strong community belonging in late 2020 compared to 2019, with further declines documented in early 2021. Similar decreases in mean life satisfaction have also been observed. While these positive mental health outcomes may have lowered at the population level, there were still many who reported experiencing high levels of positive mental health during the pandemic. For a strength- or asset-based understanding of what may distinguish these individuals from others and to highlight potential avenues for mental health promotion, it is important to identify protective factors of positive mental health.
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Sense of control and positive mental health outcomes among adults in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Cabot J, Bushnik T. Compliance with precautions to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in Canada. Health Reports. 2022; 33(9) DOI: https://www.doi.org/10.25318/82-003-x202200900001-eng
- Bushnik T, Earl S, Cabot J, Clarke J. COVID-19 infection in the Canadian household population. Health Reports. 2022; 33(4) DOI: https://www.doi.org/10.25318/82-003-x202200400003-eng
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