Community Health Data

Population and Public Health recently released the BC Community Health Data website, which features updated community health profiles, a health atlas, and a searchable database.

Visit communityhealth.phsa.ca 

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Introduction

Community health refers to the health and well-being of a geographic community and is impacted by the environment in which community members live, work, learn and play.

Please refer to the Food Security and the Healthy Built Environment pages for more information and resources on promoting healthy communities.

Health starts in our homes, schools, and jobs, long before we get sick. 


Community health is affected by the income level of the neighbourhood, the built and natural environment, healthy childhood development, access to health services, supportive social networks, and educational opportunities. These factors, among others, are referred to as the determinants of health, because they impact the health of individuals and the community.

A healthy community is a shared responsibility and is achieved through the collaborative efforts of many people, organizations, and sectors. 


The provincial government and health authorities are primarily responsible for health by providing health services and promoting healthy living. Local and First Nations governments and community organizations can also play a role in creating the conditions for citizens to make healthier choices, and working with partners to promote community well-being. 


Together we can build healthy and vibrant communities that empower citizens to achieve their best physical and mental health.

Communities across BC are diverse.


Local data can support community health by highlighting community strengths and areas for improvement. Access to local health data allows communities to make informed decisions about the policies and programs that are responsive to communities' unique needs and will most benefit their residents.

 

PPH works closely with partners at the Ministry of Health, regional health authorities, and community organizations to create standardized data, tools, and resources that support community health across the province. We support our partners from health, education, and various community sectors to use these tools in informing their local-level planning and decision-making.


Healthy Families BC (HFBC) is the BC Government's health promotion and chronic disease prevention agenda. PPH leads, coordinates, and supports various components of the HFBC Communities and Schools initiatives in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and regional health authorities.

 
PPH reports:

 

Summary of the evaluation the second year of the HFBC-Communities between April 2014 and March 2015 and progress since the beginning of the initiative.


Released: June 2016
 
 

Atlas

The BC Community Health Atlas is a web-based interactive mapping tool that displays indicators of population health by geographic area.

The BC Community Health Atlas is a free, user-friendly platform for visualizing and comparing data related to population health, demographics as well as developmental, socio-economic, and environmental determinants of health.


You can use the Atlas to:

  • Create customizable geographic maps that display patterns in health indicators by local health area (LHA) or by school district
  • Visualize and compare reliable, up-to-date local-level BC data from multiple sources
  • Help inform local-level decision-making and planning for community health

The atlas is for anyone involved in local-level decision-making and planning for community health initiatives can benefit from the Atlas. This broad audience may include:
  • health authorities
  • local governments
  • school districts
  • community groups and non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
  • researchers
  • decision-makers at the community and municipal levels

The Atlas contains over 200 indicators related to community health and well-being, grouped into ten themes:

  • health
  • children
  • youth
  • demographic profile
  • economic conditions
  • labour market conditions

Education (including sub-themes on healthy behaviours within schools, safety at school, and school environment)

Indicators can be mapped by local health area or by school district.

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Two user guides have been developed to help you learn how to use the Atlas:

Data sources include BC Stats, the BC Stats Socio-Economic Profiles, the Ministry of Health (Chronic Disease Registries and Vital Statistics), Statistics Canada (2006 and 2011 Census of Canada), and the Ministry of Education (School Satisfactory Survey, Foundational Skills Assessment).

 

The BC Community Health Atlas is funded and sponsored by the Provincial Health Services Authority.


 
Archived Profiles
Please visit the BC Community Health Data website for the most recent community health profiles and related information. The 2014 profiles are archived below for reference.

2014 Profiles

If you would like to learn more about health in your community, please contact your health authority using the information listed on the first page of each profile. 
If you have general comments or questions about the BC Community Health Profiles, please contact PHSA Population and Public Health at

 
 

 
 

 
 

 

 
 

Tools & resources

PHSA Population & Public Health has developed tools and resources to support community health.

Provide community-level data on the factors that influence health (e.g,. income, education, early childhood development) and health outcomes (e.g., life expectancy, chronic disease rates). Profiles were generated for 130 incorporated municipalities in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, regional health authorities, the Union of BC Municipalities, and BC Healthy Communities' PlanH program.

Released: August 2014

 

A web-based interactive mapping tool that displays indicators of population health by geographic area. The Atlas is a free, user-friendly platform for visualizing and comparing data related to population health, demographics as well as developmental, socio-economic, and environmental determinants of health. The Atlas is useful in showing geographic distribution patterns in health and its determinants (i.e., areas with relatively high or low rates) across the province.

Released: June 2013

 
Please refer to our other webpages for information and resources related to promoting healthy communities through food security and the built environment.