TBRHSC 2011 – 2012 Report to the Community and a Year in Review

Alignment of Programs and Services

Through measured examination of the health status of the residents of Northwestern Ontario and with broad partner engagement, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre developed the Strategic Plan 2015 to lead us to our Vision: Healthy Together.

To achieve this Vision, we will need to focus on the health needs of the population that we serve, and to provide services in new and innovative ways. With the patient and family at the centre of everything we do, efforts will be focused on Aboriginal Health, Chronic Disease Prevention and Management, Comprehensive Clinical Services and Mental Health and Addictions. As an Academic Health Sciences Centre, providing leading-edge patient care comes from the integration of excellent Clinical Services, Learning and Research.

Health Status

Population Characteristic Highlights

• Census data shows that the North West region has 230,000 individuals which accounts for 2% of the province’s population.
• 53% live in the City of Thunder Bay; 27% Kenora District; 11% Thunder Bay District (excluding Thunder Bay); 9%
Rainy River District.
• NWLHIN is home to a third of the on-reserve Aboriginal population, a quarter of the off-reserve and just over half of all “Indian Reserves and Indian Settlements” in the province. Aboriginal people are estimated to represent 19.2% of the population in the NWLHIN.

Population Health Status in the Northwest LHIN compared with the Province of Ontario

• Significantly lower percentage of residents perceive their health as excellent or very good.

• Residents have the highest rate of diabetes mortality of all 14 LHINs.

• Residents have significantly higher mortality rates for all circulatory system disease such as heart disease or stroke.

• Life expectancy is the lowest in the province.

• Mortality rates due to all external causes, and suicide specifically, are significantly higher.

• Higher rates for most chronic conditions including arthritis, high blood pressure, other heart disease, asthma and diabetes.

North West Population Health Practices

Significantly Higher Rates of:
• Smoking
• Second Hand Smoke
• Heavy Alcohol Consumption
• Obesity
• Student Substance Use

Significantly Lower Rates of:
• Fruit and vegetable consumption
• Access to a regular medical doctor
• Contact with medical doctor in the past 12 months
• Influenza immunization
• Student physical activity

We have bad habits that contribute to us being sicker than the rest of the Province.

Download report TBRHSC 2011 – 2012 Report to the Community and a Year in Review