Themes
Post-Secondary
While there are a range of reasons for pursuing further formal education beyond high school, the potential for better jobs and earnings remains a strong motivator. Although debt-loads for post-secondary education can impose significant challenges for graduates, growing numbers of jobs require a post-secondary diploma or degree.
Transportation
Current transportation systems consume huge amounts of land and resources, fragment habitats, and release pollutants. The transportation sector is Canada’s second largest source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, after oil and gas. In cities, the environmental impacts of transportation are largely defined by how residents commute to work, and how they access services and amenities. These are, in turn, influenced by land use planning and transportation infrastructure.
Waste, Water & Sewage
Waste management, provision of tap water, and treatment of wastewater (sewage) are three core “environmental services” provided by the City. How the City organizes and delivers these services and how residents use them, can significantly influence their environmental impact.
Energy and Climate
Energy use is the key driver of climate change. Containing the scope and pace of climate change requires major shifts at all levels in how we power our economies, our cities, our transportation systems and our homes. As change is already underway, adaptations to minimize risks to safety, health and infrastructure are also critical.
Land Use and Ecology
How land is used and how development is managed and serviced in urban areas are of huge significance in the pursuit of environmental sustainability. It is still a common perception that environmental protection or restoration comes at the expense of economic health. But based on a growing wealth of experience, decisions that reduce human impact on the environment very often make sense from economic and social perspectives as well.
Economic Structure and Income
Economic structure is about the diversity of sectors that contribute to an area’s economy. Diversity, along with income levels and the distribution of wealth, are relevant to the health of the economy.
Key Health Factors
Many factors combine to affect the health of individuals and communities. Health services, covered under a separate heading, are of course important. Personal behaviours such as eating choices and levels of physical activity are also key. These behaviours, as well as other health factors, are influenced by social, educational, economic and environmental conditions — addressed under other Ottawa Insight themes.
Physical Health
Physical health is not simply the absence of illness. However, it is important to know about the prevalence and trends of diseases and disorders that are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Such knowledge helps guide action and investment across the full spectrum of health care services, from prevention to treatment and mitigation.
Mental Health
Mental health is a critical component of overall health. Mental illness is characterized by thinking, mood-states and/or behaviours associated with significant distress and impaired functioning. While public awareness and understanding has increased, mental health disorders are still subject to significant stigma and secrecy. There are some population-level differences in types and severity of mental illness related to age, sex, income and other factors. But people of all ages, genders and backgrounds face mental health issues.
Health Services
Health care frequently tops the list of issues of concern to Canadians. According to a 2015 national survey, 75% of Canadians believe Canada’s health care system is among the best in the developed world, but 64% are also worried that it is falling behind. This perception is likely shared by many Ottawa residents. Comparative and trend data on issues such as preventable hospitalizations, hospital wait times, and availability of family doctors can help shed light on the performance of the system.