Low-income Islanders face higher rates of chronic disease

Low-income Islanders face "systematic, unfair and avoidable" risk factors that harm their health, according to a report from P.E.I.'s Chief Public Health Office.

"The report's findings are striking," said Chief Health Officer Dr. Heather Morrison.

"Certain diseases are clearly linked to income, education, lifestyle choices and other social factors."

The trend is evidence of health inequity on P.E.I., according to the report.

The report, Health For All Islanders, examined the prevalence of chronic diseases among Islanders according to their income, age and sex. It suggests those with the highest income and education fared significantly better.

Most high-income Islanders rate health very good or excellent

Amongst high-income earners on P.E.I., the report indicates 70 per cent of reported excellent or very good health.

Low-income Islanders suffer the highest rates of chronic disease.- Dr. Heather Morrison

Only 46 per cent of Islanders with the lowest household incomes said the same.

Similarly, Islanders with better education reported better health, as did Islanders with full-time jobs.

Rates of chronic disease on P.E.I. confirm the same trend.

"Poor diet, lack of exercise, smoking and heavy drinking are directly linked to chronic disease," said Morrison.

"Those behaviours are reported more among low-income Islanders. Low-income Islanders suffer the highest rates of chronic disease."

Those diseases include cancer, cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and diabetes.

Higher rates of poor health on P.E.I.

The report also found what the authors called inequity between P.E.I. and the rest of Canada.

On average, Islanders reported higher rates of mood and anxiety disorder, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and other conditions. They also reported smoking and drinking more, but lower rates of healthy eating and exercise.

The highest rate of heavy drinking on P.E.I. is among people aged 12 to 19, according to the report.

More than 40 per cent of teens reported having five or more drinks per occasion, 12 or more times in the past year.

Some positive trends

Islanders reported a significantly greater sense of community than the average Canadian.

That sense of belonging is believed to be linked to good health.

Islanders also have a higher rate of influenza vaccination, especially among seniors. More than 60 per cent of seniors got a flu shot last year, according to the report.

The report calls for "redistribution of societal resources" to address the disparity among Islanders in the state of their health.

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