Niagara-on-the-Lake's Health Story
Niagara-on-the-Lake has a population of 14,587 within an area of 132.8 km2. The town is located in the northeast corner of Niagara Region. The Niagara River makes up its border on the east and Lake Ontario its border on the north.
- Profile of Niagara-on-the-Lake
- Priority Populations
- Leading Cause of Death
- Leading Cause of Hospitalization
- Prenatal and Reproductive Summary
Profile of Niagara-on-the-Lake
|
Niagara-On-The-Lake | Niagara region | Ontario |
|---|---|---|---|
| 109.8 | 230.5 | 13.4 | |
Population of 2001 |
13,839 | 410,574 | 11,410,046 |
Population of 2006 |
14,587 | 427,421 | 12,160,282 |
| 5.4% | 4.1% | 6.6% | |
Total private dwellings |
6,025 | 179,903 | 4,972,869 |
Private dwellings occupied by usual residents |
5,447 | 169,425 | 4,554,251 |
Land area (square km) |
132.8 | 1,854.2 | 907,573.8 |
People ages 25-64 who have not completed high school |
8.4% | 14.0% | 13.6% |
| 14.2% | 21.9% | 20.0% | |
| 2.6% | 5.4% | 4.5% | |
Knowledge of neither English nor French |
0.2% | 0.6% | 2.2% |
Population who immigrated to Canada in the last 5 years |
7.2% | 10.4% | 17.1% |
Aboriginal identity |
0.6% | 1.6% | 2.0% |
Visible minority status |
5.9% | 6.3% | 22.8% |
Source: Statistics Canada, Census 2006
Population density
Niagara-On-The-Lake has a relatively large rural area compared to the rest of Niagara. In Niagara-On-The-Lake, there are approximately 109.8 people in 1 square kilometre compared to 230 in Niagara and 13.4 in Ontario.
Population change
Between 2001 and 2006, the population of Niagara-On-The-Lake grew by 5.4%. This means that the population in Niagara-On-The-Lake grew more than the population of Niagara (4.1%), yet less than of the population of Ontario (6.6%).
Population who did not graduate from high school
8.4% of the population of Niagara-On-The-Lake, 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-On-The-Lake has a lower percentage of single mothers (14.2%) among the families with children at home compared to Niagara (21.9%) and Ontario (20%). Niagara-On-The-Lake also has a lower percentage (2.6%) of families with single fathers than Niagara (5.4%) and Ontario (4.5%).
Language, immigration and Aboriginals
Almost all of Niagara-On-The-Lake residents are able to speak either English or French. Only a very small proportion, less than 1%, cannot. This pattern is also seen in Niagara, but in Ontario, the proportion is slightly higher at 2.2%.
5.9% of people in Niagara-On-The-Lake are of a visible minority, which is similar to the Visible minority population of Niagara (6.3%), but is much lower than Ontario (22.8%). In terms of immigration, 7.2% of the population of Niagara-On-The-Lake immigrated in the last 5 years, which is lower than Niagara (10.4) and even lower than Ontario (17.1%).
In Niagara-On-The-Lake, a small percentage of the total population are Aboriginals (0.6%), which is lower than Niagara (1.6%) and Ontario (2%). However, only Aboriginals who live off reserve were surveyed by the census.
| Niagara-On-The-Lake | Niagara region | Ontario |
|
|---|---|---|---|
Low income before tax |
5.7% | 12.0% | 14.7% |
Low income after tax |
4.1% | 8.4% | 11.1% |
Low income families with children or youth less than 18 years old (before tax) |
7.9% | 15.0% | 18.0% |
Low income families with children or youth less than 18 years old (after tax) |
6.3% | 10.5% | 13.7% |
Source: Statistics Canada, Census 2006
Population with Low income
Niagara-On-The-Lake has a lower percentage of people considered as living in Low income (before tax) (5.7%) than both Niagara (12.0%) and Ontario (14.7%). The same goes for the ‘after tax Low income’ percentages. After taxes, the percentages of people living within the Low income bracket are as follows: 4.1% for Niagara-On-The-Lake, 8.4% for Niagara, and 11.1% for Ontario.
Low income families
7.9% of Niagara-On-The-Lake families, who are considered living in Low income (before tax), have a child/youth under the age of 18 living with them. After tax, this number decreases to 6.3%, which is lower than Niagara (10.5%) and 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 shows an image of Niagara-On-The-Lake 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
Leading Causes of Death
| Males (0-64 years) | Females (0-64 years) | |||||||
| Niagara-On-The-Lake | Niagara region | Niagara-On-The-Lake | Niagara region | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Ischaemic heart disease | 13.3% | Ischaemic heart disease | 15.3% | Lung cancer | 16.7% | Lung cancer | 10.9% |
2 |
Cancer of lymph, blood and related | 10.7% | Lung cancer | 8.5% | Breast cancer | 13.0% | Breast cancer | 8.3% |
3 |
Lung cancer | 6.7% | Intentional self harm | 5.3% | Ovarian cancer | 9.3% | Ischaemic heart disease | 7.4% |
4 |
Tranport accidents | 6.7% | Transport accidents | 4.2% | * | * | Colorectal cancer | 4.9% |
5 |
* | * | Colorectal cancer | 4.1% | * | * | Cerebrovascular diseases | 4.0% |
* Data are limited and cannot be reported.
Source: Causes of Death, 2000-2004, Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, IntelliHEALTH ONTARIO, Data Last Refreshed March 2009.
For Niagara-On-The-Lake, data is limited for the leading causes of death among males and females aged 0-64, and therefore, not all of them are reported. Of the causes of death reported, Niagara-On-The-Lake is somewhat different than Niagara.
Females
For females aged 0-64: lung cancer and breast cancer were listed among the leading causes of death for both Niagara-On-The-Lake and Niagara. In Niagara-On-The-Lake however, ovarian cancer was listed while in Niagara colorectal cancer, Ischaemic heart disease and Cerebrovascular diseases
were listed.
Males
For males aged 0-64: Niagara-On-The-Lake and Niagara share Ischaemic heart disease, lung cancer and transportation accidents as the leading causes of death. Niagara-On-The-Lake also reports cancer of the lymph, blood and related while Niagara reports intentional self harm and colorectal cancer.
| Males (65+ years) | Females (65+ years) | |||||||
| Niagara-On-The-Lake | Niagara region | Niagara-On-The-Lake | Niagara region | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Ischaemic heart disease | 22.5% | Ischaemic heart disease | 26.2% | Ischaemic heart disease | 24.6% | Ischaemic heart disease | 26.4% |
2 |
Cerebrovascular diseases | 10.2% | Lung cancer | 7.7% | Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease | 9.8% | Cerebrovascular diseases | 9.1% |
3 |
Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease | 6.7% | Cerebrovascular diseases | 6.1% | Cerebrovascular diseases | 8.9% | Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease | 5.3% |
4 |
Lung cancer | 6.3% | Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 5.4% | Lung cancer | 5.0% | Lung cancer | 5.2% |
5 |
Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 4.8% | Diabetes mellitus | 4.7% | Diabetes mellitus | 3.7% | 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-On-The-Lake, 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 Niagara-On-The-Lake and Niagara share the leading causes of death.
Males
For males over the age of 65, Niagara-On-The-Lake 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-On-The-Lake and Niagara is that Niagara-On-The-Lake reports dementia and Alzheimer’s disease whereas in Niagara, diabetes is reported.
Leading Causes of Hospitalization
| Males (0-64 years) | Females (0-64 years) | |||||||
| Niagara-On-The-Lake | Niagara region | Niagara-On-The-Lake | Niagara region | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Liveborn infants according to place of birth | 4.2% | Liveborn infants according to place of birth | 6.2% | Complications of pregnancy (labour and delivery) | 17.5% | Complications of pregnancy (labour and delivery) | 21.4% |
2 |
Disorders related to Short gestation and Low birth weight | 3.8% | Disorders related to Short gestation and Low birth weight | 3.5% | Complications of pregnancy (Antenatal) | 16.5% | Complications of pregnancy (Antenatal) | 14.8% |
3 |
Acute myocardial infarction | 2.5% | Acute myocardial infarction | 3.0% | Liveborn infants according to place of birth | 4.6% | Liveborn infants according to place of birth | 4.1% |
4 |
Pneumonia | 2.2% | Complications of surgical and medical care | 2.9% | Disorders related to Short gestation and Low birth weight | 2.0% | Mood, affective disorders | 2.1% |
5 |
Inguinal hernia | 2.1% | Diabetes mellitus | 2.1% | Complications of surgical and medical care | 1.6% | 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-On-The-Lake, the leading causes of hospitalization among males and females aged 0-64 are quite similar to those of Niagara region, but there are some differences.
Females
The difference between females aged 0-64 in Niagara-On-The-Lake and Niagara is that Niagara-On-The-Lake reports complications of surgical and medical care, while Niagara reports mood and affective disorders as one of the leading causes of hospitalization.
Males
The difference between the leading causes of hospitalization for males aged 0-64 for Niagara-On-The-Lake and Niagara is that Niagara-On-The-Lake reports Pneumonia and inguinal hernia and Niagara lists complications of surgical and medical care and diabetes.
| Males (65+ years) | Females (65+ years) | |||||||
| Niagara-On-The-Lake | Niagara region | Niagara-On-The-Lake | Niagara region | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Heart failure | 5.5% | Heart failure | 5.3% | Fracture of femur | 5.4% | Heart failure | 5.7% |
2 |
Acute myocardial infarction | 5.1% | Acute myocardial infarction | 4.9% | Pneumonia | 3.8% | Fracture of femur | 4.8% |
3 |
Cerebrovascular diseases | 3.2% | Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchiectasis | 4.7% | Acute myocardial infarction | 3.7% | Chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases | 4.3% |
4 |
Pneumonia | 3.2% | Cerebrovascular diseases | 3.5% | Heart failure | 3.4% | Acute myocardial infarction | 4.2% |
5 |
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchiectasis | 3.0% | Pneumonia | 3.1% | Arthrosis of knee | 3.2% | 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-On-The-Lake, the leading causes of hospitalizations among males and females aged 65+ are similar to those of the Niagara region with differences with differences found between females of Niagara-On-The-Lake and Niagara.
Females
For females over the age of 65, the difference between Niagara-On-The-Lake and Niagara is that, in Niagara-On-The-Lake Pneumonia and arthrosis of the knee is listed among the leading causes while Niagara lists chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and Cerebrovascular diseases
.
Males
Males in Niagara-On-The-Lake over the age of 65 share the same leading causes of hospitalization as males in the Niagara region.
Prenatal and Reproductive Summary
|
Niagara-On-The-Lake | Niagara region | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Parkyn (N) | 103 | 3795 | |
| Mothers who attended a Prenatal class at Public Health† | 17.3% | ||
| Mothers under 20 years old | * | 5.2% | |
| Mothers who smoked during pregnancy | * | 13% | |
| Preterm birth baby | 10.7% | 7.1% | |
| Low birthweight baby | 4.6% | 4.3% | |
| High-risk Parkyn Score | 10.7% | 19.2% | |
| Feeding Method | Breastmilk only | 79.6% | 72.6% |
| Both breastmilk and formula | 8.7% | 8.9% | |
* data are limited and cannot be reported.
†Source: Prenatal class Data, Niagara Region, 2008. Source: ISCIS Jan-Dec, 2007, Extracted: March 2009.
Overall, 17.3% of pregnant women in Niagara-On-The-Lake 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, 10.7% of newborns in Niagara-On-The-Lake were considered high risk in comparison to 19.2% in the Niagara region. In 2007, there were 103 live births to mothers from Niagara-On-The-Lake; representing 2.7% of the total newborns throughout Niagara.
In Niagara-On-The-Lake, 10.7% of births were preterm and 4.6% were Low birth weight babies; both slightly higher than in Niagara region (7.1% and 4.3%, respectively).
In Niagara-On-The-Lake, 79.6% of mothers breastfed while in the hospital; a further 8.7% both breastfed and used a bottle in Niagara-On-The-Lake which is similar to Niagara (8.9%).
