Health Status of Canadians 2016: Report of the Chief Public Health Officer - How are we unhealthy? - Injuries

• Previous Page
• Table of Contents
• Next Page

How are we unhealthy?

Injuries

In 2014, nearly 5 million or just under 2 in 10 Canadians reported experiencing an injury in the previous year that was serious enough to limit their normal activity (see Figure 1)^{Footnote 1}.

Injuries are a leading cause of morbidity and disability for Canadians.^{Footnote 2,Footnote 3}

Did you know?

An estimated 20% to 30% of seniors fall each year in Canada.^{Footnote 2} Falls are the leading cause of injury-related hospitalizations for seniors. In 2010-2011, more than 100,000 Canadian seniors were hospitalized due to an injury with 78,000 of these hospitalizations being related to falls.^{Footnote 2,Footnote 3}

Over time

The proportion of Canadians reporting that they experienced an injury in the previous year has increased from 13% in 2003 to 16% in 2014.^{Footnote 1}

By income

In 2014, people living in households with the lowest income are less likely to report experiencing an injury than those living in the highest household income.^{Footnote 4}

• 14% for lowest income households.
• 18% for highest income households.

By sex

In 2014, 17% of men and 14% of women reported having experienced an injury in the previous year.^{Footnote 1}

By age

In 2014, youth were more likely to report having experienced an injury in the previous year than other age groups (see Figure 2)^{Footnote 1}.

Indigenous populations

Data on injuries in Indigenous populations are not directly comparable to the data described above.

In 2008/2010, 19% of First Nations on-reserve aged 18 years and older reported experiencing an injury in the previous year.^{Footnote 5}

In 2012, 20% of First Nations living off-reserve, 21% of Métis and 16% of Inuit aged 19 years and older reported experience an injury in the previous year.^{Footnote 6}

International comparison:

Data related to injuries are not collected such that they can be compared across countries.

Notes to the reader

• Data on injuries are reported by Canadians aged 12 years and older as being an injury that occurred in the previous year and was considered to be serious enough to limit normal activities. Repetitive strain injuries are not included.^{Footnote 1} The survey did not ask whether injuries were unintentional and intentional injuries.^{Footnote 1}
• Indigenous populations consist of First Nations, Métis and Inuit.

For more information on injuries, please see:

• Government of Canada
• Public Health Agency of Canada

• Previous Page
• Table of Contents
• Next Page