Lesson 1. Health Surveys and Publications
Statistics Canada, and the Health Information and Research Division (HIRD), have made healthy aging one of the major research priorities of the Canadian government. It is commited to analyzing, evaluating and communicating the results from the major health related surveys related to the aging Canadian population. Read the section titled "Health Statistics at Statistics Canada", (p 3-4) of the Multi-year Analytical Plan: 2008/2009 to 2010/2011 for an excellent overview of Statistics Canada's health statistics program and health related surveys and/or questionnaires.
Statistical Surveys/Questionnaires
Statistics Canada conducts approximately 350 active surveys and/or statistical programs which collect information on almost all aspects of Canadian life. Some of the major health surveys include:
- Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS)
- National Population Health Survey (NPHS)
- Vital Statistics database
- Canadian Cancer Registry (CCR)
Statistic Canada Publications
This lesson and assignment will focus on finding the Statistics Canada publications which analyze and compile the statistics from the major health surveys. Some of the major types of publications include:
- Periodicals (journals) and Analytical series
- Analytical Studies
- Technical papers
- Health indicator factsheets The majority of health indicators are provided in table format however fact sheets have been developed for some health related topics
More detailed statistics
Access to the specific data collected in the surveys is available through CANSIM and the nurmerical tables through the Statistics Canada website. More detailed statistics are available through the UW Electronic Data Service (EDS). This service provides access to all Statistics Canada data as well as other statistical sources. We will not be looking at the content or searching capabilities of this service however you should be aware that this service is available if you need more detailed statistical information for future courses and assignments.