Niagara Falls' Health Story
Niagara Falls home to 82,184 residents, is located along the Niagara River and spans an area of 209.58 km2.
- Profile of Niagara Falls
- Priority Populations
- Leading Cause of Death
- Leading Cause of Hospitalization
- Prenatal and Reproductive Summary
Profile of Niagara Falls
|
Niagara Falls | Niagara region | Ontario |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population density per square kilometre | 392.1 | 230.5 | 13.4 |
| Population of 2001 | 78,815 | 410,574 | 11,410,046 |
| Population of 2006 | 82,184 | 427,421 | 12,160,282 |
| Population change | 4.3% | 4.1% | 6.6% |
| Total private dwellings | 33,871 | 179,903 | 4,972,869 |
| Private dwellings occupied by usual residents | 32,482 | 169,425 | 4,554,251 |
| Land area (square km) | 209.6 | 1,854.2 | 907,573.8 |
| People ages 25-64 who have not completed high school | 15.0% | 14.0% | 13.6% |
| Lone female parent | 25.5% | 21.9% | 20.0% |
| Lone male parent | 6.4% | 5.4% | 4.5% |
| Knowledge of neither English nor French | 1.0% | 0.6% | 2.2% |
| Population who immigrated to Canada in the last 5 years | 12.4% | 10.4% | 17.1% |
| Aboriginal identity | 1.7% | 1.6% | 2.0% |
| Visible minority status | 7.8% | 6.3% | 22.8% |
Source: Statistics Canada, Census 2006.
Population density
Niagara Falls has a relatively larger urban area compared to the rest of Niagara. There are approximately 392.1 people in 1 square kilometre compared to 230.5 in Niagara and 13.4 in Ontario.
Population change
Between 2001 and 2006, the population of Niagara Falls grew by 4.3%. This means that the population in Niagara Falls grew more of the population of Niagara (4.1%), yet less than of the population of Ontario (6.6%).
Population who did not graduate from high school
15.0% of the population of Niagara Falls, between the ages of 25 and 64, have not completed their high school education; compared to 14.0% in Niagara and 13.6% in Ontario.
Lone parent families
Niagara Falls has a higher percentage of single mothers (25.5%) among the families with children at home, compared to Niagara (21.9%) and Ontario (20%). As for families with single fathers, Niagara Falls also has a higher percentage (6.4%) than Niagara (5.4%) and Ontario (4.5%).
Language, immigration and Aboriginals
Almost all of Niagara Falls residents are able to speak either English or French. Only a very small proportion, only 1.0%, cannot. This pattern is also seen in Niagara, but in Ontario, the proportion is slightly higher at 2.2%.
7.8% of people in Niagara Falls are of a Visible minority, which is slightly higher than the Visible minority population of Niagara at 6.3%, but is much lower than Ontario (22.8%). In terms of immigration, Niagara Falls has a higher percentage of people who immigrated in the last five years (12.4%) than Niagara (10.4%), but again, this percentage is much lower than Ontario (17.1%).
In Niagara Falls there is a relatively similar percentage of Aboriginals (1.7%) compared to Niagara (1.6%) and Ontario (2.0%) However, only Aboriginals who live off reserve were surveyed by the census.
|
Niagara Falls | Niagara region | Ontario |
|---|---|---|---|
Low income before tax |
13.6% | 12.0% | 14.7% |
Low income after tax |
9.6% | 8.4% | 11.1% |
Low income families with children or youth less than 18 years old (before tax) |
17.8% | 15.0% | 18.0% |
Low income families with children or youth less than 18 years old (after tax) |
12.6% | 10.5% | 13.7% |
Source: Statistics Canada, Census 2006.
Population with Low income
Niagara Falls has a higher percentage of people considered as living in low income (before tax) (13.6%) than Niagara (12.0%) and lower than Ontario (14.7%). The same goes for the ‘after tax Low income’ percentages. After taxes, the percentage of people living within the Low income bracket is as follows: 9.6% for Niagara Falls, 8.4% for Niagara, and 11.1% for Ontario.
Low income families
17.8% of Niagara Falls families who are considered low income (before tax) have a child/youth under the age of 18 living with them. After tax this decreases to 12.6%, which is slightly higher than in Niagara (10.5%) but lower than Ontario (13.7%).
Priority Populations
To examine geographical patterns of socio-economic indicators (e.g. income, low education), a priority index was developed to explore characteristics of the Niagara region. A Priority Population is defined as those populations that are at risk and for whom public health interventions, (e.g. the Health Bus program), may be reasonably considered to have a substantial impact at the population level.
The map below shows an image of Niagara Falls with areas of high versus low priority, based on six indicators included from the 2006 census:
- Median Family Income
- Proportion of people who have not graduated with a certificate, diploma or degree
- Unemployment Rate
- Proportion of single parent families
- Proportion of people living alone.
- Proportion of persons who are separated, divorced or widowed.
Leading Causes of Death
|
Males (0-64 years) | Females (0-64 years) | ||||||
|
Niagara Falls | Niagara region | Niagara Falls | Niagara region | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ischaemic heart disease | 13.2% | Ischaemic heart disease | 15.3% | Lung cancer | 10.6% | Lung cancer | 10.9% |
| 2 | Lung cancer | 8.4% | Lung cancer | 8.5% | Breast cancer | 9.1% | Breast cancer | 8.3% |
| 3 | Intentional self harm | 5.8% | Intentional self harm | 5.3% | Ischaemic heart disease | 9.1% | Ischaemic heart disease | 7.4% |
| 4 | Colorectal cancer | 5.0% | Transport accidents | 4.2% | Colorectal cancer | 4.7% | Colorectal cancer | 4.9% |
| 5 | Diabetes mellitus | 4.3% | Colorectal cancer | 4.1% | Cerebrovascular diseases | 3.6% | Cerebrovascular diseases | 4.0% |
Source: Causes of Death 2000-2004, Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, IntelliHEALTH ONTARIO Data. Last Refreshed March 2009.
In Niagara Falls, the leading causes of death among males and females aged 0-64 are similar to those of the Niagara region.
Females
For females aged 0-64, Niagara Falls and Niagara share the same top leading causes of death.
Males
For males aged 0-64: Niagara Falls and Niagara share Ischaemic heart disease,lung cancer, intentional self harm and colorectal cancer among the leading causes of death. The only difference between Niagara Falls an Niagara is that in Niagara Falls, diabetes is also reported, whereas, in Niagara transport accidents is reported.
|
Males (65+ years) | Females (65+ years) | ||||||
|
Niagara Falls | Niagara region | Niagara Falls | Niagara region | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ischaemic heart disease | 27.9% | Ischaemic heart disease | 26.2% | Ischaemic heart disease | 27.2% | Ischaemic heart disease | 26.4% |
| 2 | Lung Cancer | 8.2% | Lung cancer | 7.7% | Cerebrovascular diseases | 8.7% | Cerebrovascular diseases | 9.1% |
| 3 | Cerebrovascular diseases | 6.5% | Cerebrovascular diseases | 6.1% | Dementia and Alzheimer Disease | 6.0% | Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease | 5.3% |
| 4 | Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 5.9% | Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 5.4% | Lung cancer | 5.6% | Lung cancer | 5.2% |
| 5 | Prostate cancer | 4.9% | Diabetes mellitus | 4.7% | Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 4.6% | Diabetes mellitus | 4.8% |
Source: Causes of Death 2000-2004, Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, IntelliHEALTH ONTARIO Data. Last Refreshed March 2009.
In Niagara Falls, the leading causes of death among males and females over the age of 65 are similar to those of Niagara region.
Females
For females over the age of 65, both Niagara Falls and Niagara list Ischaemic heart disease, cerebrovascular diseases, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, and lung cancer among the leading causes of death. The only difference between Niagara Falls and Niagara is that in Niagara Falls, Chronic lower respiratory diseases
is also reported, whereas, in Niagara diabetes is reported.
Males
For males over the age of 65, Niagara Falls and Niagara list Ischaemic heart disease, lung cancer, cerebrovascular diseases and chronic lower respiratory disease among the leading causes of death. The only difference between Niagara Falls and Niagara is that in Niagara Falls, prostate cancer is also reported, whereas, in Niagara diabetes is reported.
Leading Causes of Hospitalization
|
Males (0-64 years) | Females (0-64 years) | ||||||
|
Niagara Falls | Niagara region | Niagara Falls | Niagara region | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Liveborn infants according to place of birth | 5.0% | Liveborn infants according to place of birth | 6.2% | Complications of pregnancy (labour and delivery) | 13.7% | Complications of pregnancy (labour and delivery) | 21.4% |
| 2 | Disorders related to Short gestation and Low birth weight | 3.3% | Disorders related to Short gestation and Low birth weight | 3.5% | Complications of pregnancy (Antenatal) | 10.6% | Complications of pregnancy (Antenatal) | 14.8% |
| 3 | Diabetes mellitus | 3.2% | Acute myocardial infarction | 3.0% | Liveborn infants according to place of birth | 3.9% | Liveborn infants according to place of birth | 4.1% |
| 4 | Complications of surgical and medical care | 3.0% | Complications of surgical and medical care | 2.9% | Mood, affective disorders | 3.9% | Mood, affective disorders | 2.1% |
| 5 | Mood, affective disorders | 3.0% | Diabetes mellitus | 2.1% | Diabetes mellitus | 2.5% | Disorders related to Short gestation and Low birth weight | 2.0% |
Source: Causes of Hospitalization 2003-2007, Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, IntelliHEALTH ONTARIO Data. Last Refreshed March 2009.
In Niagara Falls, the leading causes for hospitalization among males and females aged 0-64 are quite similar to those of Niagara region, but do have some differences.
Females
For females aged 0-64, Niagara Falls and Niagara list complications of pregnancy (labour and delivery), complications of pregnancy (Antenatal), births, and mood and affective disorders among the leading causes of death. The only difference between Niagara Falls and Niagara is that in Niagara Falls, diabetes is reported, whereas, in Niagara disorders related to Short gestation and low birth weight is reported.
Males
For Niagara Falls and Niagara, males aged 0-64, the only difference between the leading causes of hospitalization is that Niagara lists Acute myocardial infarction and Niagara Falls lists mood and affective disorders.
|
Males (65+ years) | Females (65+ years) | ||||||
|
Niagara Falls % | Niagara region % | Niagara Falls % | Niagara region % | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Heart failure | 7.1 | Heart failure | 5.3 | Heart failure | 6.5 | Heart failure | 5.7 |
| 2 | Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease | 5.8 | Acute myocardial infarction | 4.9 | Fracture of femur | 5.6 | Fracture of femur | 4.8 |
| 3 | Acute myocardial infarction | 5.7 | Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease | 4.7 | Acute myocardial infarction | 4.5 | Chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases | 4.3 |
| 4 | Renal failure | 4.0 | Cerebrovascular diseases | 3.5 | Chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases | 4.2 | Acute myocardial infarction | 4.2 |
| 5 | Cerebrovascular diseases | 3.5 | Pneumonia | 3.1 | Cerebrovascular diseases | 4.0 | Cerebrovascular diseases | 3.9 |
Source: Causes of Hospitalization 2003-2007, Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, IntelliHEALTH ONTARIO Data. Last Refreshed March 2009.
In Niagara Falls, the leading causes for hospitalization among males and females aged 65+ are quite similar to those of Niagara region, but do have some differences.
Females
Females over the age of 65 in Niagara Falls and Niagara region share the same leading causes of hospitalization.
Males
For males over the age of 65, Niagara Falls and Niagara list heart failure, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cerebrovascular diseases and Acute myocardial infarction as top causes of hospitalization. The only difference between Niagara Falls and Niagara is that in Niagara Falls, renal failure is also reported, whereas, in Niagara Pneumonia is reported.
Prenatal and Reproductive Summary
|
Niagara Falls | Niagara region | |
|---|---|---|---|
Total Parkyn (N) |
742 | 3795 | |
Mothers who attended a Prenatal class at Public Health† |
2.9% | ||
Mothers under 20 years old |
6.1 % | 5.2% | |
Mothers who smoked during pregnancy |
16.3% | 13.0% | |
Preterm birth baby |
6.7% | 7.1% | |
Low birthweight baby |
4.6% | 4.3% | |
High-risk Parkyn Score |
17.8% | 19.2% | |
Feeding Method |
Breastmilk only |
76.0% | 72.6% |
Both breastmilk and formula |
3.4% | 8.9% | |
†Source: Prenatal class Data, Niagara Region, 2008. Source: ISCIS Jan-Dec, 2007. Extracted: March 2009.
Overall, 2.9% of pregnant women in Niagara Falls attended Prenatal classes offered by Niagara Region Public Health last year.
The Parkyn Postpartum Screening Tool is an instrument designed to identify families with a new baby who may be at an increased risk of developmental challenges based on health, physical and social drawbacks. Using this tool, 17.8% of newborns in Niagara Falls were considered high risk in comparison to 19.2% in Niagara region. In 2007, there were 742 live births to mothers from Niagara Falls; representing 19.6% of the total newborns throughout Niagara. Of these births, 6.1% were to mothers under the age of 20.
In Niagara Falls, 6.7% of births were preterm and 4.6% were Low birth weight babies; both relatively similar to Niagara region (7.1% and 4.3%, respectively). When mothers were asked about their smoking habits, 16.3% of mothers in Niagara Falls reported smoking during pregnancy which is considerably higher than the Niagara region (13.0%).
In Niagara Falls, 76.0% of mothers breastfed while in the hospital; a further 3.4% both breastfed and used a bottle. The rate for only breastfeeding was higher than Niagara (72.6%) while the rate for both breastfeeding and formula was lower than Niagara (8.9%).
