July 28, 2010 – The life expectancy of Quebecers is still improving and the promotion of healthy lifestyles seems to be bearing fruit, reveals the recent edition of the survey on the state of health of the Quebec population1, published by the Direction de la santé publique du Québec.
In terms of good news, the survey reveals that life expectancy increases by one year every 4 years. In 2008, she reached 78 years for men and 83 years for women. Likewise, infant mortality continues to decline. It now represents 4 in 1000 cases. By comparison, this proportion was 31.5 cases in 1000 in 1961.
In general, we note that the promotion of healthy lifestyles has gained ground in the population. The proportion of smokers aged 15 and over fell from 40% to 23% from 1987 to 2009. It remains nevertheless among the highest in the country.
Quebecers are also more active. In 2008, 1 in 3 people engaged in physical activities during leisure time, compared to 1 in 4 in 1994. It is also in Quebec that the consumption of fruits and vegetables is the highest in the country.2.
Cardiovascular disease has been reduced by more than half over the past 25 years. Likewise, the suicide rate has been declining, especially among men, since the early 2000s, but it still remains among the highest in the country.
The challenge of the next few years: cancer and obesity
As elsewhere in Canada, cancer is today the leading cause of death in Quebec. Breast cancer and prostate cancer are the ones for which we find the most new cases, but there is a good improvement in survival 5 years after diagnosis. Lung cancer remains the deadliest (1 in 3 cancer deaths).
Even though Quebec has the lowest obesity rate in the country, it tends to increase in the Quebec population. It is estimated that currently, 17% of Quebec adults are obese, a gain of 6% in 15 years.
Among the other health problems that affect Quebecers the most, we note allergies other than food (25%), back pain (18%), hypertension (17%), arthritis (11%) , migraines (9%) and asthma (7%). In addition, we observe that in 2008, 9% of young Quebecers were diagnosed with attention deficit disorder with or without hyperactivity. Of this number, 58% were treated with medication.
In addition, socio-economic differences remain an obstacle to improving the health status of the population. Thus, the most disadvantaged men see their life expectancy reduced by 8 years compared to those more advantaged. More than 1 in 10 children (13%) live in a low-income family. From 1996 to 2006, there was also an increase in the number of children living with one parent, from 18% to 21%.
Healthier adults and seniors
Data from the Canadian Communities Survey3 echo the results observed in Quebec with regard to lifestyle habits. In this study, 76% of people aged 45 to 64 and 56% of those 65 and over said they were in good health, mentally and physically.
Eight factors over which people have some control have been associated with health status; either: not to smoke, to control your weight, to exercise regularly, to consume fruits and vegetables, to sleep well, to have good dental health, to reduce your stress level and to have a social life. Almost 84% of adults and 91% of seniors said they apply 4 or more of these items.
At age 80, half of respondents said they were healthy despite some chronic age-related ailments, the most common being hypertension, arthritis and back pain.
Claudia Morissette – HealthPassport.net
1 To consult the electronic version of the document: http://publications.msss.gouv.qc.ca/acrobat.pdf
2. Almost 55% of Quebecers (12 years and over) consumed fruits and vegetables 5 or more times per day in 2009 compared to 44% in Ontario and 46% in British Columbia. The Canadian average is 46%.
3. Health Report, vol. 21, no. 3, Article: Health-promoting factors and good health among Canadians in mid- to late-life. To consult the document in electronic version: www.statcan.gc.ca.
