A new community health profile database is widening the conversation on what it means to be a healthy community.
And it shows that the Tri-Cities, with a largely well-educated and affluent population - albeit one that is expected to be much older 20 years from now - is ahead of the curve on many health indicators.
The Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) compiled information on population demographics, family income, education, employment and even the ways we get to work to assemble the profiles.
Lydia Drasic, executive director of the BC Centre for Disease Control and Chronic Diseases Prevention, said the profiles were created to answer requests for localized data that could assist in community health planning, noting the information focuses on the social determinants of health.
"They're things that influence our health but are not necessarily under the direct mandate of the health sector," Drasic explained. "Health care itself contributes to 24 to 27% of our health but things like income, education, social connectedness to our community, the environment, these things actually influence our health as well."
Below are some of the results from Tri-Cities' community health profiles; for further information, visit www.phsa.ca and search for "BC Community Health Profiles."
POPULATION SNAPSHOT
Population data about the number of residents in several age groups, their ethnic background and the languages they speak shows the Tri-Cities (including Anmore and Belcarra) are a diverse group made up of mainly young families.
The bulk of the age distribution lies in the 40 to 54 range, followed closely by kids, from newborns to the 15 to 19 set.
And while 15% of the region's population is under 15 today and just 10% are 65 and older, the picture in 2035 is predicted to be significantly different. Twenty years from now, about a quarter of Tri-City residents are predicted to be seniors.
The Tri-Cities are also a multicultural place, with visible minorities making up about 29% of the population in Port Moody and Port Coquitlam, and 44% in Coquitlam.
Information on the ages and backgrounds of people living in the Tri-Cities can be used to plan community amenities such parks and sidewalks, and to better meet the needs of groups that have difficulty maintaining their health or accessing health services.
INCOME & EMPLOYMENT
Income and employment can be significant health predictors, affecting both housing conditions, transportation options, access to healthy food and recreational activities, and stress levels.
People with better education tend to be healthier, not only by having generally better working conditions and income but also informing better health choices.
The latest data (from 2010) shows each of the Tri-Cities boasts a higher family after-tax income when compared to the provincial average - the disparity was highest in the villages of Anmore and Belcarra - and, for the most part, fewer residents considered low-income. The only exception was Coquitlam, where 17.3% were considered low-income versus the B.C. average of 16.4%.
In most of the cities, more than a third have a university degree, the exception being PoCo, where more than a quarter of the population had a high school diploma as their highest level of education.
JOBS, AND HOW WE GET THERE
Unemployment or underemployment aren't just hard on the pocketbook but can be tough on your health, whether it's mental well-being, elevated stress levels, workplace safety or hours of work.
In the Tri-Cities, unemployment was below the 7.8% provincial average as well (according to 2011 stats), with PoCo boasting the lowest rate at 6.5%.
And the figures also show that the bike-to-work squad has a long way to go here in the Tri-Cities, where about 80% of residents drive to work. Transit users hovered at about 13 to 17%, cyclists about 0.5% and pedestrians about 3%.
"How we plan and build our communities can make healthy options, like active transportation, more available, affordable and accessible for everyone," the profile notes.
THE DOCTOR IS IN?
Tri-Cities residents have a lot going for them when it comes to their health, but everyone needs to see a doctor from time to time. But can we?
Information on available health practitioners (2009/'10 data) shows the Tri-Cities fall well behind the B.C. average.
physicians: 72 per 100,000 (B.C. average: 110 per 100,000);
specialists: 22 per 100,000 (B.C.: 94);
supplementary practitioners: 118 per 100,000 (B.C.: 133).
EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT
How our kids do as kids has a big impact on their emotional and physical health down the road.
Accessible community programs for a range of children and families can foster healthy childhood development that lays the groundwork for future skills in emotional control, relationship building, self-esteem and health practices.
Kindergarten-aged children in the Tri-Cities were found to be at or below the provincial percentage of kids who may be considered vulnerable in five core areas, including social competence, physical health, language and cognitive development, emotional maturity and communication skills.
HOW WELL ARE WE?
The Tri-Cities' good health means we're living longer (by about a year) compared to the average British Columbian.
But what about our mental health? Nearly 70% of B.C. residents reported very good or excellent mental health (2012 data), allowing us to enjoy a balanced life and cope with stress.
Many are still struggling with mental illness, however, with 2,203 people in the Tri-Cities newly diagnosed (2012/'13) with depression or anxiety.
As well, 1,960 locals found out they had high blood pressure and 1,140 were diagnosed with diabetes (Type 1 or 2). Another 439 suffered heart failure and 756 were diagnosed with asthma.
How our kids do as kids has a big impact on their emotional and physical health down the road.
Accessible community programs for a range of children and families can foster healthy childhood development that lays the groundwork for future skills in emotional control, relationship building, self-esteem and health practices.
Kindergarten-aged children in the Tri-Cities were found to be at or below the provincial percentage of kids who may be considered vulnerable in five core areas, including social competence, physical health, language and cognitive development, emotional maturity and communication skills.
