Port Colborne's Health Story
Port Colborne is home to 18,450 residents that live within its 122 km2.
Port Colborne is located on the southern end of the Niagara region along the banks of Lake Erie and at the southern end of the Welland Canal
- Profile of Port Colborne
- Priority Populations
- Leading Cause of Death
- Leading Cause of Hospitalization
- Prenatal and Reproductive Summary
Profile of Port Colborne
|
Port Colborne | Niagara region | Ontario |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population density per square kilometre | 152.5 | 230.5 | 13.4 |
| Population of 2001 | 18,450 | 410,574 | 11,410,046 |
| Population of 2006 | 18,599 | 427,421 | 12,160,282 |
| Population change | 0.8% | 4.1% | 6.6% |
| Total private dwellings | 8,519 | 179,903 | 4,972,869 |
| Private dwellings occupied by usual residents | 7,791 | 169,425 | 4,554,251 |
| Land area (square km) | 122.0 | 1,854.2 | 907,573.8 |
| People ages 25-64 who have not completed high school | 16.1% | 14.0% | 13.6% |
| Lone female parent | 24.7% | 21.9% | 20.0% |
| Lone male parent | 6.4% | 5.4% | 4.5% |
| Knowledge of neither English nor French | 0.3% | 0.6% | 2.2% |
| Population who immigrated to Canada in the last 5 years | 7.2% | 10.4% | 17.1% |
| Aboriginal identity | 2.1% | 1.6% | 2.0% |
| Visible minority status | 1.5% | 6.3% | 22.8% |
Source: Statistics Canada, Census 2006.
Population density
Port Colborne has a relatively large rural area compared to the rest of Niagara. In Port Colborne, there are approximately 152.5 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 Port Colborne grew by 0.8%. This means the population in Port Colborne grew much less than the population of Niagara (4.1%), and even less than the population of Ontario (6.6%).
Population who did not graduate from high school
16.1% of the population of Port Colborne, 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
Port Colborne has a higher percentage of single mothers (24.7%), among the families with children at home; compared to Niagara (21.9%) and Ontario (20%). Port Colborne also has a higher percentage of families with single fathers (6.4%) than Niagara (5.4%) and Ontario (4.5%).
Language, immigration and Aboriginals
Almost all of Port Colborne 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%.
1.5% of people in Port Colborne are of a Visible minority , which is much lower than the Visible minority population of Niagara (6.3%), but is even lower than Ontario (22.8%). In terms of immigration, 7.2% of the population of Port Colborne immigrated in the last five years, which is lower than Niagara (10.4%) and even lower than Ontario (17.1%).
In Port Colborne, a greater percentage of the total population are Aboriginals (2.1%) compared to Niagara (1.6%)., but similar to the percentage of population of Ontario classified as Aboriginals (2%). However, Aboriginals who live off reserve were surveyed by the census.
| Port Colborne | Niagara region | Ontario | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low income before tax | 12.7% | 12.0% | 14.7% |
| Low income after tax | 8.8% | 8.4% | 11.1% |
| Low income families with children or youth less than 18 years old (before tax) | 14.6% | 15.0% | 18.0% |
| Low income families with children or youth less than 18 years old (after tax) | 9.7% | 10.5% | 13.7% |
Source: Statistics Canada, Census 2006.
Population with Low income
Port Colborne has a higher percentage of people considered as living in low income (before tax) (12.7%) than Niagara (12.0%) and a lower percentage than Ontario (14.7%). The same follows for the ‘after tax low income’ percentages. After taxes, the percentages of people living within the Low income bracket are as follows: 8.8% for Port Colborne, 8.4% for Niagara, and 11.1% for Ontario.
Low income families
14.6% of Port Colborne 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 9.7%, which is lower than in 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.
Priority Populations for Fort Erie" width="300" height="227" hspace="30" align="right">The map shows an image of Port Colborne 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) | |||||||
|
Port Colborne | Niagara region | Port Colborne | Niagara region | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ischaemic heart disease | 16.4% | Ischaemic heart disease | 15.3% | Lung cancer | 16.4% | Lung cancer | 10.9% |
| 2 | Transport accidents | 9.5% | Lung Cancer | 8.5% | Breast cancer | 8.2% | Breast cancer | 8.3% |
| 3 | Intentional self harm | 4.8% | Intentional self harm | 5.3% | Ischaemic heart disease | 8.2% | Ischaemic heart disease | 7.4% |
| 4 | Prostate cancer | 4.8% | Transport accidents | 4.2% | Transport accidents | 6.8% | Colorectal cancer | 4.9% |
| 5 | Colorectal cancer | 4.8% | Colorectal cancer | 4.1% | Cerebrovascular diseases | 5.5% | 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 Port Colborne, the leading causes of death among males and females aged 0-64 are similar to those of Niagara region with only a couple of differences.
Females
For females aged 0-64, Port Colborne and Niagara share lung cancer, breast cancer, Ischaemic heart disease and Cerebrovascular diseases
as leading causes of death. The only difference for females aged 0-64 between Port Colborne and Niagara is Port Colborne reports transportation accidents and Niagara reports colorectal cancer.
Males
For males aged 0-64: ischaemic heart disease, transportation accidents, intentional self harm and colorectal cancer were listed among the leading causes of death for Port Colborne and Niagara. In Port Colborne, however, prostate cancer completed the list for males, while lung cancer completed the list for males in Niagara.
| Males (65+ years) | Females (65+ years) | |||||||
|
Port Colborne | Niagara region | Port Colborne | Niagara region | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ischaemic heart disease | 24.8% | Ischaemic heart disease | 26.2% | Ischaemic heart disease | 31.8% | Ischaemic heart disease | 26.4% |
| 2 | Lung cancer | 8.9% | Lung Cancer | 7.7% | Diabetes mellitus | 9.0% | Cerebrovascular diseases | 9.1% |
| 3 | Cerebrovascular diseases | 5.8% | Cerebrovascular diseases | 6.1% | Cerebrovascular disease | 7.4% | Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease | 5.3% |
| 4 | Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 4.6% | Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 5.4% | Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease | 6.7% | Lung cancer | 5.2% |
| 5 | Diabetes mellitus | 4.6% | Diabetes mellitus | 4.7% | Lung cancer | 5.3% | 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 Port Colborne, the leading causes of death among males and females over the age of 65 are the same as those of Niagara region.
Females
For females over the age of 65, Port Colborne and Niagara share the same leading causes of death: Ischaemic heart disease, diabetes, Cerebrovascular diseases
, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, and lung cancer.
Males
For males over the age of 65, Port Colborne and Niagara share the same leading causes of death: Ischaemic heart disease, lung cancer, Cerebrovascular diseases
, Chronic lower respiratory diseases
and diabetes.
Leading Causes of Hospitalization
| Males (0-64 years) | Females (0-64 years) | |||||||
|
Port Colborne | Niagara region | Port Colborne | Niagara region | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Acute myocardial infarction | 4.0% | Liveborn infants according to place of birth | 6.2% | Complications of pregnancy (labour and delivery) | 11.2% | Complications of pregnancy (labour and delivery) | 21.4% |
| 2 | Liveborn infants according to place of birth | 3.2% | Disorders related to Short gestation and Low birth weight | 3.5% | Complications of pregnancy (Antenatal) | 8.7% | Complications of pregnancy (Antenatal) | 14.8% |
| 3 | Diabetes mellitus | 2.7% | Acute myocardial infarction | 3.0% | Complications of surgical and medical care | 3.3% | Liveborn infants according to place of birth | 4.1% |
| 4 | Complications of surgical and medical care | 2.3% | Complications of surgical and medical care | 2.9% | Liveborn infants according to place of birth | 3.0% | Mood, affective disorders | 2.1% |
| 5 | Disorders related to Short gestation and Low birth weight | 2.1% | Diabetes mellitus | 2.1% | Diabetes mellitus | 2.1% | 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 Port Colborne, 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
For females aged 0-64, the difference between Port Colborne and Niagara is that Port Colborne reports complications of surgical and medical care, and diabetes; while Niagara reports disorders related to Short gestation and Low birth weight as well as mood and affective disorders.
Males
For males aged 0-64, Port Colborne and Niagara share the same leading causes of hospitalization: acute myocardial infarction, liveborn infants, diabetes, complications of surgical and medical care, and disorders related to Short gestation and Low birth weight.
| Males (65+ years) | Females (65+ years) | |||||||
| Port Colborne | Niagara region | Port Colborne | Niagara region | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Heart failure | 5.9% | Heart failure | 5.3% | Heart failure | 5.7% | Heart failure | 5.7% |
| 2 | Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchiectasis | 5.6% | Acute myocardial infarction | 4.9% | Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchiectasis | 5.5% | Fracture of femur | 4.8% |
| 3 | Cerebrovascular diseases | 3.5% | Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchiectasis | 4.7% | Fracture of femur | 3.8% | Chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases | 4.3% |
| 4 | Conduction disorders, cardiac arrhythmias | 3.3% | Cerebrovascular diseases | 3.5% | Conduction disorders, cardiac arrhythmias | 3.4% | Acute myocardial infarction | 4.2% |
| 5 | Acute myocardial infarction | 3.3% | Pneumonia | 3.1% | Cerebrovascular diseases | 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 Port Colborne, the leading causes of hospitalizations among males and females aged 65+ are similar to those of Niagara region with only one difference found between males and females.
Females
Females of Port Colborne and Niagara also share four of the same leading causes of hospitalization. The only difference between the Port Colborne and Niagara is that, in Port Colborne, the fifth cause of hospitalization among females was conduction disorders; while for Niagara, it was Acute myocardial infarction.
Males
For males over the age of 65, Port Colborne and Niagara share four of the leading causes of hospitalization. The only difference between Niagara region and Port Colborne is that, in Port Colborne, the fifth cause of hospitalization among males was conduction disorders; while for Niagara, it was Pneumonia.
Prenatal and Reproductive Summary
|
Port Colborne | Niagara Region | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Parkyn (N) | 149 | 3795 | |
| Mothers who attended a Prenatal class at Public Health† | 3.6 | ||
| Mothers under 20 years old | 7.4% | 5.2% | |
| Mothers who smoked during pregnancy | 18.1% | 13% | |
| Preterm birth baby | 6.7% | 7.1% | |
| Low birthweight baby | 6.0% | 4.3% | |
| High-risk Parkyn Score | 21.5% | 19.2% | |
| Feeding Method | Breastmilk only | 69.8% | 72.6% |
| Both breastmilk and formula | 8.1% | 8.9% | |
†Source: Prenatal class Data, Niagara Region, 2008. Source: ISCIS Jan-Dec, 2007. Extracted: March 2009.
Overall, 3.6% of pregnant women in Port Colborne 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, 21.5% of newborns in Port Colborne were considered high risk in comparison to 19.2% in Niagara region. In 2007, there were 149 live births to mothers from Port Colborne; representing 3.9% of the total newborns throughout Niagara. Of these births, 7.4% were to mothers under the age of 20.
In Port Colborne, 6.7% of births were preterm which is slightly lower than Niagara (7.1%). 6.0% of Port Colborne babies were Low birth weight which is higher than Niagara (4.3%). When mothers were asked about their smoking habits, 18.1% of mothers in Port Colborne reported smoking during pregnancy which is considerably higher than the Niagara region (13%).
In Port Colborne, 69.8% of mothers breastfed while in the hospital; a further 8.1% both breastfed and used a bottle.which is similar to Niagara (8.9%).
