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A Canadian peer-reviewed journal of population health and health services research

September 2008

The Canadian census mortality follow-up study, 1991 through 2001

by Russell Wilkins, Michael Tjepkema, Cameron Mustard and Robert Choinière

A goal of Canadian health policy is to reduce or eliminate socio-economic inequalities in health. An important step in achieving this goal is to determine the distribution of health status across groups defined by income, education, occupation, language and ethnicity, Aboriginal or visible minority status, and disability status. Each of these characteristics must be directly addressed in terms of the most fundamental aspects of health: life or death, and relative risks of premature death from various causes.

The feasibility of establishing correction factors to adjust self-reported estimates of obesity

by Sarah Connor Gorber, Margot Shields, Mark S. Tremblay and Ian McDowell

Obesity is a public health problem in both the eveloped and developing world. Globally, an estimated 400 million people are obese. In Canada, the prevalence is estimated to be 23% in adults and 8% in children, with rates expected to rise in coming years. The costs associated with obesity represent approximately 2% of Canada's total health care expenditures.

Organized extracurricular activities of Canadian children and youth

by Anne Guèvremont, Leanne Findlay and Dafna Kohen

Children's participation in organized extracurricular activities has been associated with positive short- and long-term outcomes, such as academic achievement and prosocial behaviours, and with reduced negative outcomes, such as dropping out of school and emotional and behavioural disorders.

August 2008

Parent and child reports of children's activity


by Fortune Sithole and Paul J. Veugelers


Despite some contradictory results, the relationship between physical activity and obesity has been established. With the aim of providing direction for public health policies to prevent obesity, an increasing number of population-based studies now focus on determinants of activity, especially among children. Accurate assessment of physical and sedentary activity is essential to this research.

Trends in teen sexual behaviour and condom use


by Michelle Rotermann


Sexual intercourse at an early age, having multiple sexual partners, and unprotected sex put teens at risk of sexually transmitted infection (STI) and of unwanted pregnancy. Since the mid-1990s, some of these behaviours have become less prevalent, while the prevalence of others has not changed or has increased. However, trends differ by age, gender and jurisdiction.

Diabetes–prevalence and care practices


by Claudia Sanmartin and Jason Gilmore


Diabetes is a serious chronic disease that affects the body's ability to produce or properly use insulin. It can lead to various disabling and life-threatening complications such as heart disease and stroke, high blood pressure, and premature death. In Canada, diabetes is the single largest cause of blindness, and a leading cause of kidney failure and lower limb amputations. Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death and accounts for 25,000 person-years of life lost before age 75.

July 2008

Depression and risk of heart diseaseDepression and risk of heart disease


by Heather Gilmour


Both heart disease and depression are associated with a considerable health burden. Worldwide, coronary heart disease is the second leading cause of disability for men and the third leading cause for women; depression is the fourth leading cause of disability among men and the leading cause among women.

Motor vehicle accident deaths, 1979 to 2004Motor vehicle accident deaths, 1979 to 2004


by Pamela L. Ramage-Morin


In 2004, there were 21.6 million licensed drivers in Canada among a population of 25.8 million people aged 16 or older. They operated over 25 million registered vehicles. Most of these vehicles (76%) were cars, trucks, buses and motorcycles for on-road use, while a smaller proportion were farm, construction and off-road vehicles.


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The Canadian census mortality follow-up study, 1991 through 2001

The feasibility of establishing correction factors to adjust self-reported estimates of obesity

Organized extracurricular activities of Canadian children and youth