Prevalence of Chronic Diseases and Risk Factors among Canadians aged 65 years and older
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73% of individuals aged 65+ years have at least 1 of 10 common chronic diseasesFootnote 1
Prevalence of the most common chronic diseases and conditions:
- Hypertension 65.7%
- Periodontal disease 52.0%Footnote 2
- Osteoarthritis 38.0%
- Ischemic heart disease 27.0%
- Diabetes 26.8%
- Osteoporosis 25.1%
- Cancer 21.5%Footnote 3
- COPD 20.2%
- Asthma 10.7%
- Mood & anxiety disorders 10.5%
Prevalence of common behavioural risk factors:
- 9.5% report daily or occasional tobacco useFootnote 3
- 8.3% report exceeding low-risk drinking guidelinesFootnote 3
- 77.3% consume fruits/vegetables less than 5x a dayFootnote 4
- 40.1% & 28.1% report a BMI in the overweight & obese categoriesFootnote 3
- 60.6% do not meet physical activity guidelinesFootnote 3
- 46.8% report trouble falling asleepFootnote 5
Learn more about Chronic Diseases in Canada, visit Canada.ca
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COVID-19 has had unprecedented consequences for Canada’s senior population. The Public Health Agency of Canada will be using multiple data sources to examine the impact of COVID-19 and chronic diseases on seniors.
Notes
Prevalence data are from the Canadian Chronic Disease Surveillance System 2016–2017, except where noted:- Footnote 1
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The ten selected chronic conditions described include heart disease, stroke, cancer [ever had], asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, arthritis, Alzheimer disease or other dementia, mood and anxiety disorders. Data are self-reported from the Canadian Community Health Survey 2017–2018.
- Footnote 2
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Canadian Health Measures Survey 2007–2009 (ages 65–79 years).
- Footnote 3
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Canadian Community Health Survey 2017–2018.
- Footnote 4
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Canadian Community Health Survey 2015–2016.
- Footnote 5
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Canadian Health Measures Survey 2007–2015 (ages 65–79 years).
- Abbreviations
- Abbreviations: BMI = body mass index; COPD = chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.