The health of individuals is affected by physical factors, lifestyle behaviours, genetics, environment and psycho-social determinants. The health of a community is influenced by the overall health of its citizens. Access to appropriate and timely primary health care, health promotion, disease and risk prevention, health education and acute care can assist citizens to maintain or restore their health.

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According to our Local Health Integrated Network (LHIN, 2005) that includes Niagara, female life expectancy at birth is 81.5 years in HNHB and 82.1 years in Ontario. Read the rest of this entry »

Our LHIN rates in 2005 are higher for arthritis and rheumatism (21.5 compared to 17.5), heart disease (8.4 compared to 7.2) and high blood pressure (15.8 to 14.7) than those of the province. Our rates for diabetes (4.2 compared to 4.6) and asthma (8.4 to 7.2) are slightly lower than that of Ontario. Read the rest of this entry »

The Niagara Region is noted for having high obesity rates and there is a growing concern about obesity in the younger population. An estimated 51.5% of adults are reported to be in the obese or overweight Body Mass Index (BMI) categories in our LHIN (16% obese and 39% overweight) (55% in Niagara in 2004). Read the rest of this entry »

Health Canada reports that 1 in 5 will experience a mental health disorder in their lifetime including depression, anxiety, substance abuse or other challenges. Read the rest of this entry »

Niagara’s incidence of invasive primary cancer per 100,000 persons from 2001-2003 was below Ontario’s rate, reaching its highest in 2001 at 388.9 per 100,000 of the population. Read the rest of this entry »

Low birth weight refers to the percent of babies born weighing less than 2,500 grams. Low birth weight is an indicator of the general health of newborns and a key determinant of infant survival and development. Low birth weight infants are at greater risk of dying in their first year and of developing chronic health problems. Read the rest of this entry »

Niagara EMS dispatch center was the first accredited centre in Ontario, in 2006 and one out of three in Canada to be officially recognized as an Accredited Centre of Excellence by the Academy of Emergency Medical Dispatch. Read the rest of this entry »

Waiting for cancer diagnosis and surgery can affect health, stress levels and treatment outcomes. Read the rest of this entry »

From 2000-2001, the mortality rates for HNBN LHIN (including Niagara) were higher than provincial rates (629.9 vs 602.6 per 100,000), especially for circulatory system diseases. Read the rest of this entry »

While physicians are not the only professional group involved in primary care and nurse practitioners are increasing at the community level, it is important to have enough physicians and specialists in Niagara to provide care. According to the Niagara Health System (NHS) Report (2005) there were 560 physicians with admission privileges in Niagara and according to the LIHN report there were 502 physicians in Niagara in 2007 (278 physicians; 224 specialists). Read the rest of this entry »

Community Health Centers are being developed to offer comprehensive primary health services in parts of the region. Four Centers have been approved for Niagara and 2 are in operation. Read the rest of this entry »