Physical Health

Using the World Health Organization's classification system, heart disease is by far the leading cause of death in the Champlain Local Health Integration Network region. It is also the leading cause nationally and globally. However, cancer would be the leading cause in the Champlain LHIN if all forms were grouped into a single category. Ottawa's death rate for Dementia and Alzheimer's disease is over 12% higher than for the Champlain LHIN as a whole.

The rate of premature mortality, defined as death before the age of 75, is lower in Ottawa compared to the Champlain LHIN as a whole, and significantly lower than the national rate. At all levels, premature mortality has declined dramatically over the past 30 years. Cancers, circulatory diseases, injuries and chronic respiratory disease are now the most significant causes of premature mortality.

Potentially avoidable mortality refers to premature deaths that could have been avoided through prevention practices, public health policies, and timely and effective health care. In 2010, the number of potentially avoidable deaths per 100,000 residents in Ottawa was comparatively low -- 143 versus 171 nationally. But the ratio between potentially avoidable deaths and premature deaths is the same.

More total years are lost to premature death in low income as compared to high income neighbourhoods.

The prevalence of three common Canadian diseases -- arthritis, diabetes, and high blood pressure -- is lower in Ottawa than across Ontario and Canada.

A fourth common disease, asthma, is more prevalent in Ottawa. It also increased over the period between 2003 and 2014, in contrast to the decline at provincial and national levels. And in this same period, the increase in high blood pressure (hypertension) was significantly higher in Ottawa. High blood pressure is the number one risk factor for stroke and a major risk factor for heart disease.

While the increase in diabetes in Ottawa between 2003 and 2014 was significantly lower than for the province as a whole, it was still a shocking 40%. Mortality rates in a population with diabetes are at least two times higher, and annual per capita health care costs are an estimated three to four times greater.  Healthier eating and increased physical activity can significantly reduce the incidence of diabetes.

Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability and death. Poor diet, physical inactivity, obesity and smoking are all risk factors.

Throughout the period between 2010 and 2015, hospitalized stroke rates in Ottawa have been significantly and consistently lower than at national, provincial, regional levels. During this period, rates of hospitalized stroke declined at all levels. Even though only a proportion of people who suffer a stroke are admitted to hospital, the trend is reflective of overall declines in strokes.

Ontario residents in the lowest versus highest income quintile had close to a 50% higher rate of hospitalized stroke events in 2013. However, the results of one study suggest that in-hospital mortality rates are not affected by socio-economic status.