Individual Health
GOAL: A community that facilitiates wellness.
Think about how the Forces of Change
(24k/1p) may have an impact.
Other factors to consider for us to achieve this goal:
Growing Health Concerns
It is a general Canadian trend that rates of obesity, Type II Diabetes and Cardio-Vascular Disease are growing. In York Region, the adult population aged 20 and over with Diabetes is 6% and the percentage of overweight or obese adults is 45.8% (Ontario 49.9%). (Source: Regional Municipality of York, Community and Health Services Department, Public Health Branch – Balanced Scorecard Report 2007)
York Region Residents Live Longer
Overall, York Region residents live relatively longer than the rest of Ontario, with a life expectancy of 81.8 years (Ontario 79.3 years). (Source: Regional Municipality of York, Community and Health Services Department, Public Health Branch – Balanced Scorecard Report 2007)
Lifestyle Choices
There are many factors that contribute to individual health — lifestyle choices, physical activity, and food are often cited as major contributors to poor health. The York Region population who do not engage in regular physical activity is 40%. markham residents who have used parks and outdoor recreation in the past 12 months is relatively high at 76% and Markham residents that have gone cycling in 2008 is 40%. (Source:Regional Municipality of York, Community and Health Services Department, Public Health Branch – Balanced Scorecard Report 2007)
Air Quality & Health
Markham enjoys relatively good air and water quality that contributes to good or poor health conditions. The most recent statistics on Markham's air quality showed 18 smog days (May-Sept. 2002). (Source: (Source: Regional Municipality of York, Community and Health Services Department, Public Health Branch – Balanced Scorecard Report 2007)
Ontario asthma hospitalization rate (1996-1998) was 126 per 10,000, and York Region's respiratory disease incidence rate was 32.0 per 100,000 compared to Ontario at 42.2 per 100,000. (Source: Regional Municipality of York, Community and Health Services Department, Public Health Branch – Balanced Scorecard Report 2007)
How do you think Markham is Performing on this topic?
What should Markham be aiming for over the long term?
What changes should Markham implement to get there?
Tell us what YOU think »
