MLHU - Health Status Resource

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Glossary:

Census

Data from the Canadian Census was provided by Statistics Canada. The census takes place every five years in Canada and is a reliable source of information for population and dwelling counts as well as demographic and other socio-economic characteristics.

Census Family

Census family is defined as a married couple and the children, if any, of either and/or both spouses; a couple living common law and the children, if any, of either and/or both partners; or a lone parent of any marital status with at least one child living in the same dwelling and that child or those children. All members of a particular census family live in the same dwelling.

A couple may be of opposite or same sex. Children may be children by birth, marriage, common-law union or adoption regardless of their age or marital status as long as they live in the dwelling and do not have their own married spouse, common-law partner or child living in the dwelling. Grandchildren living with their grandparent(s) but with no parents present also constitute a census family.

1. Statistics Canada. Dictionary, Census of Population, Census Family 2016 [Internet] Ottawa, ON: Statistics Canada; 2016 [updated 2017 May 3; cited 2018 Nov 30]. Available from https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/ref/dict/fam004-eng.cfm

Cerebrovascular disease

Disease that occurs when there is a problem with the circulation of blood in the blood vessels of the brain.1 It includes stroke, carotid stenosis (narrowing of the carotid arteries, which supply blood to the brain), vertebral stenosis (narrowing of the vertebral arteries), intercranial stenosis (narrowing of the artery inside the brain), aneurysms (bulge in a blood vessel in the brain), and vascular malformations.2

1. Public Health Agency of Canada. Six Types of Cardiovascular Disease [Internet]. Ottawa, ON: Government of Canada; 2010 [cited 2019 Sep 26]. Available from: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/chronic-diseases/cardiov...

2. American Association of Neurological Surgeons. Cerebrovascular Disease [Internet]. Rolling Meadows, IL: American Association of Neurological Surgeons; 2019 [cited 2019 Sep 26]. Available from: https://www.aans.org/Patients/Neurosurgical-Conditions-and-Treatments/Ce...

Client or family in need of newcomer support

A client or family who is new to Canada (less than five years living in Canada), who lacks social supports, or who may be experiencing social isolation.

Coefficient of Variation

The coefficient of variation (CV) is the measure used to indicate the sampling variability associated with survey estimates. The CV is obtained by dividing the standard deviation of the estimate by the estimate itself and it is expressed as a percentage of the estimate. Statistics Canada guidelines around the release of survey estimates, based on the magnitude of the CV, have been followed in this resource:

  • A CV between 0 and 16.5% is considered acceptable and the estimate can be released without restriction;
  • Estimates with a CV between 16.6 and 33.3% can be released, but with a cautionary note regarding high sampling variability;
  • Estimates with a CV greater than 33.3% should be suppressed due to extreme sampling variability;
  • Estimate release guidelines require at least 10 observations;

For CCHS survey estimates in this resource, CV’s have been calculated using the “bootstrap method”.

Communication Skills & General Knowledge domain

Assesses children’s ability to communicate in socially appropriate ways, their use of language, their ability to tell a story, and their knowledge about the world around them.1

1. Offord Centre for Child Studies. EDI in Ontario over Time [Internet]. Hamilton, ON: McMaster University, 2018 [cited 2019 Mar 26]. Available from: https://edi.offordcentre.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/EDI-in-Ontari...

Community belonging

Population aged 12 and over who described their sense of belong as somewhat strong or very strong when asked, “How would you describe your sense of belonging to your local community? Would you say it is: very strong, somewhat strong, somewhat weak or very weak? “  (excludes “Don’t know” responses).

Concussion

"A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury. It is caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head or by a hit to the body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth. This sudden movement can cause the brain to bounce around or twist in the skull, creating chemical changes in the brain and sometimes stretching and damaging brain cells.”1

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [Internet]. Atlanta (GA): Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; [cited 2019 Feb 11]. What is a concussion?; [reviewed 2017 Jan 31; updated 2017 Jan 31; cited 2019 Feb 11]; [about 2 screens]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/headsup/basics/concussion_whatis.html

Confidence Intervals

Confidence intervals (CIs) indicate the reliability of a statistical estimate or rate.  A 95% confidence interval is interpreted as a range in which we can be 95% confident the true population value lies. Wide confidence intervals, suggest less reliable estimates than narrow confidence intervals. In general, the larger the population, the narrower the CI and hence, the more precise is the estimate. Confidence intervals can also be used as tests of statistical significance when comparing estimates – if the CIs for the estimates under comparison overlap, we can say the difference between the estimates is not statistically significant. For CCHS data, 95% CIs have been calculated using the “bootstrap method”.

Current Smoker

Smokes cigarettes at the present time, including daily and occasionally.

Dementia

Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a set of signs and symptoms associated with a progressive deterioration of cognitive functions that are severe enough to interfere with daily life.1

1. Public Health Agency of Canada. Dementia in Canada, Including Alzheimer's Disease [Internet]. Ottawa, ON: Government of Canada; 2017 [cited 2019 Sep 26]. Available from: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/diseases-co...

Dental insurance

Dental insurance can include either:
1) Third-party insurance via your place of employment
2) Private insurance, or
3) Government-subsidized programs.1

Government-subsidized programs in Ontario include:
• Healthy Smiles Ontario (HSO)2
• Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program (OSDCP)*
*Currently being developed

1. Public Health Ontario [Internet]. Toronto (ON): [2012] Report on access to dental care and oral health inequalities in Ontario; [cited 2019 Oct 10]. Available from: https://www.publichealthontario.ca/-/media/documents/dental-oral-inequal...

2.Government of Ontario [Internet]. [2019 Jul 22] Teeth cleaning, check-ups and dental treatment for kids; [cited 2019 Oct 10]. Available from: https://www.ontario.ca/page/get-dental-care?_ga=2.139588915.1479146258.1570824493-1934120442.1570824493

Dependency Ratio

The ratio of the combined child population aged 0 to 19 and population aged 65 and over to the population 20 to 64 years old.

The population aged 65 and over and those under age 20 are more likely to be socially and/or economically dependent on the working aged population, and they may also put additional demands on health services. This ratio is presented as the number of dependents for every 100 people in the working age population.1

1. Statistics Canada. Health indicators, data and definitions, community and health system characteristics 82-221-X [Internet]. Ottawa, ON: Statistics Canada. 2000 [updated 2018 Aug 22 May 24; cited 2018 Nov 27] Available from: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/82-221-x/2017003/chsc-ccss-eng.htm#chsc1_4

Diagnosis Classification

Diagnoses are classified using the Canadian modification of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision (ICD-10-CA).  For more information about what diagnoses are included in each ICD-10 chapter please consult http://apps.who.int/classifications/icd10/browse/2010/en

Dissemination Area

A small geographic area with a population of 400 to 700 persons. All of Canada is divided into dissemination areas which are used to report Census information.

Early sexual debut

Early sexual debut is defined as having sexual intercourse under the age of 20 the first time.1

1. Association of Public Health Epidemiologists in Ontario. Core indicators: Condom use the last time among those at risk for STDs [Internet]. 2004 Apr 27 [cited 2019 Sep 26]. Available from: http://core.apheo.ca/index.php?pid=134

Elderly Dependency Ratio

Number of people aged 65 years and older divided by the number of people aged 20 to 64

Emotional Maturity domain

Assesses children’s prosocial and helping behaviour, their anxious and fearful behaviour, their aggressive behaviour, and their amount of hyperactivity and inattentive behaviour.1

1. Offord Centre for Child Studies. EDI in Ontario over Time [Internet]. Hamilton, ON: McMaster University, 2018 [cited 2019 Mar 26]. Available from: https://edi.offordcentre.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/EDI-in-Ontari...

Employed

People over the age of 15 years who did any work at all, or who had a job but were not at work, e.g., on leave. 

Enteric infections

Enteric infections effect the intestines and stomach. People with an enteric infection may experience diarrhea, vomiting, stomach cramps, nausea, or other symptoms, depending on the cause of the infection.

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