The Most Common Health Concerns in Canada

Posted by Doug Murray on October 27, 2017

What are the things making Canadians sick? The Chief Public Health Officer’s 2016 report on the health status of Canadians gives us some insight. So do the subjects discussed on Health Canada’s website. 

Some of these health conditions may not pose a huge threat right now but could become a problem later on. Some are low risk but when an outbreak occurs, the surrounding publicity makes the pubic worry more than they really need to. And some are serious problems that put a strain on Canada’s health system. These are the most common health concerns in Canada.

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    1. Cancer

    Cancer is the leading cause of death in Canada and two out of five Canadians will develop the disease, according to the Chief Public Health Officer. The risk of getting cancer increases as you get older.

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    2. Cardiovascular Disease

    According to the Chief Public Health Officer, six per cent of Canadians over the age of 20 reported in 2014 that they had cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular disease affects the heart and blood vessels, increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke. It’s the second most common cause of death among Canadians.

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    3. Diabetes

    The Chief Public Health Officer says that diabetes is on the rise, especially among children. The risk of diabetes increases with age and it’s one of the most common chronic illnesses among Canadians.

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    4. Injuries

    According to the Chief Public Health Officer, in 2014 nearly 20 per cent of Canadians reported injuries that limited their normal activity during the previous year. Serious injuries were most common among people aged 12 to 19, while those aged 20 to 34 were the second most at risk.

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    5. Mood Disorders

    The Chief Public Health Officer says that mood disorders such as depression or bipolar disorder are on the increase among Canadians, with eight per cent of the population having been diagnosed with a mood disorder in 2014. One way to help reduce your risk is to find a job with a healthy work-life balance.
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    6. Dementia

    Dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, may double in the next 20 years, according to the Chief Public Health Officer. In 2011, two percent of Canadians had dementia. The symptoms of the disease usually start at the age of around 70 for men and 74 for women.

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    7. Tuberculosis

    The Chief Public Health Officer says that Canada has a low and declining rate of TB cases, even though the disease is much more prevalent among indigenous people, especially Inuit. However, drug-resistant TB is a major health issue around the world.

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    8. Autism

    According to Autism Speaks Canada, autism is the fastest growing neurological disorder diagnosed in the country. Early intervention and support can help people with autism to thrive but the stigma surrounding the disorder has led to a new health concern: parents refusing to vaccinate their children because of misinformation about the link between vaccines and autism.
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    9. Hepatitis

    Hepatitis is a series of liver diseases, with hepatitis A, B and C the most common forms. Hepatitis C, which is spread through infected blood, affects an estimated 210,000 to 275,000 people in Canada, according to Health Canada. Safe sex and not sharing needles – including tattoo needles – or syringes will decrease your risk of contracting Hepatitis C.

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    10. HIV and AIDS

    Health Canada says that even though new cases of HIV and AIDS in Canada are declining, more people are living with the disease: an estimated 65,040 people in 2014. People who have tested positive now live longer because of better medical treatment but one in five Canadians who have HIV don’t know that they have it.
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    11. Sexually Transmitted Infections

    Sexually transmitted infections or STIs, include not only HIV and Aids but also chlamydia, genital herpes, gonorrhoea, syphilis and human papillomavirus. Health Canada says that the rates of chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis have been rising since the 1990s.
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    12. Alcohol

    Health Canada says that an estimated four to five million Canadians engage in high-risk drinking. This can lead to alcohol-related illnesses such as liver cirrhosis and cancer but also increases the risk of accidents, violence, crime and problems with your relationships. Drinking too much is also one of the most dangerous things you can do when you travel.
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    13. Smoking-related Illnesses

    Smoking is a leading cause of lung diseases, including emphysema and lung cancer. It also increases your risk of other forms of cancer as well as cardiovascular disease and affects the health of those around you too. The good news is that, according to Health Canada, the number of smokers in the country is dropping.

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    14. Drugs

    Drug abuse can lead to a myriad of problems, from health and relationship issues to crime. Even the abuse of prescription drugs is a problem, with the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction saying that more people are hospitalized for prescription opioid poisoning.

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    15. Family Violence

    Family violence includes violence against an intimate partner, children and the elderly. Statistics Canada says that in 2015, 26 per cent of victims who reported violent crime had suffered family violence, with almost half being attacked by a spouse or ex-spouse. Family violence not only causes physical injuries but leaves emotional scars that can take much longer to heal.

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    16. Multiple Sclerosis

    Multiple sclerosis, a debilitating disorder that affects the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves, is more prevalent in Canada than anywhere else in the world, according to the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada. An estimated 100,000 Canadians suffer from MS, for which there is no cure.
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    17. Seasonal Flu

    While seasonal flu is usually just one of those irritating things about winter, severe cases can lead to other health complications and even death. Health Canada suggests that you can reduce your risk of getting the flu by getting a flu shot and washing your hands regularly. You may also want to keep some baby wipes handy, since they’re gentler on your nose.
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    18. Pandemic Flu

    Pandemic flu is a flu outbreak that occurs all over the world. Different types of flu, such as bird flu, can cause pandemics but Health Canada says that your risk of getting bird flu is extremely low. Media coverage can make pandemic flu sound scarier than it is but during the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918, 50,000 Canadians died.
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    19. West Nile Virus

    West Nile virus has been occurring in Canada since 2002, according to Health Canada, but the number of cases has been low. It is more common in summer and is spread by mosquitoes. If you already have a chronic disease or a weakened immune system, you can become very sick.
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    20. Lyme Disease

    Lyme disease is spread by blacklegged ticks. Health Canada says that untreated Lyme disease can lead to severe complications that can last for years. To prevent getting Lyme disease, it’s most important to avoid getting bitten by a tick.
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