Prevalence of Chronic Conditions
Cardiovascular Disease:
The rate of heart disease is significantly higher in the Niagara region than in Ontario. The rate of death due to a heart attack is also significantly higher for both men and women in the region compared to Ontario and Canada. Women in the region are 1.4 times more likely (men 1.2 times more likely) than Canadians to die from a heart attack.
- In 2001/02, Niagara residents’ age-adjusted rates of hospitalization due to ischemic heart disease were 12% higher than the provincial average and, in 1999, Niagara residents’ age-adjusted rates of death due to ischemic heart disease were 23% higher than the provincial average.
- In 2006/07 the rate of ischemic heart disease for Niagara residents was at 505 admission/100,000 population (as most responsible reason for admission). 6% of these patients died within the same admission. Additional 947 admissions/100,000 populations had ischemic heart disease documented as co-morbidity.
- In 2001/02, Niagara residents accounted for 1,023 hospitalizations for stroke and TIA; a rate of over 240 hospitalizations/100,000 population; 28% higher than the provincial average.
- In 2006/07, Niagara residents hospitalized for stroke and TIA decrease to 601; a rate of 141 hospitalizations/ 100,000 population.
End-Stage Renal Disease:
Diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease leading risk factors for End Stage Renal Disease [ESRD]. From 2005/06 to 2006/07 there was a 22% increase in the number of Niagara residents requiring acute inpatients treatment for renal failure (with or without dialysis) (
- Niagara’s age-adjusted rates of dialysis and ER visits among the diabetes population aged 20+ are 30% and 52% higher, respectively, compared to provincial averages.
Cancer:
There is a higher incidence of lung, colorectal, ovarian and leukaemia cancers and a lower incidence of thyroid cancers for residents of Niagara than in Ontario as a whole. Lung, prostate/breast and colorectal cancers have the highest mortality rate for Niagara residents.
- Niagara’s age-adjusted rate of cancer incidence in 1984 was 347/100,000 rising 14% to 395/100,000 population in 1998, compared to the provincial average of 399/100,000 in 1998.
- In 1984, Niagara’s age-adjusted rate of mortality due to cancer was 1.8/1,000 population (758 deaths), slightly lower than the provincial average of 1.82/1,000 population at that time. By 1999, Niagara’s cancer mortality rate had risen 14% to 2.051/1,000 population (1,162 deaths), at which time it was significantly different (13% higher) than the provincial average of 1.8/1,000.
- In 2006/07, 2,317 Niagara residents were treated as acute inpatients for malignant cancer. 12% of these patients expired during their stay in hospital. (includes any hospital)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD):
- In 2001/02, Niagara residents had 1,303 hospital admissions for COPD. Niagara’s age-adjusted rate of hospitalization for COPD was 17% higher than the provincial average.
- From 2005/06 to 2006/07 the hospitalization volume for Niagara residents with a primary diagnosis of COPD increased 4%.
Dementia:
- The prevalence of dementia in Niagara is projected to increase from 6,094 cases in 2000 to 8,608 cases in 2013, a 41% increase. Typically, 75-85% of dementia cases are suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.
Arthritis/Rheumatism:
- In 2005, 23.8% of Niagara residents reported having arthritis/rheumatism, a rate higher than the HNHB LHIN at 21% and the Ontario rate of 17.1%.
Diabetes:
- In 2005 the rate of diabetes reported within the Niagara population was at 5.9%, this rate is also experienced across the entire HNHB LHIN, and is greater than the Ontario rate of 4.8%.