Status of Women Canada
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Status of Women Canada

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Women in Canada at a Glance Statistical Highlights

Women and Health

  • Health is closely linked to socio-economic status. Women with higher income and education levels are more likely to report very good or excellent health. Among women aged 45 to 64, 39% of those who had not completed secondary school described their health as very good or excellent. By comparison, 73% of women in the same age group who had obtained a university degree reported very good or excellent health.
  • Arthritis affects many more women than men across all age groups. In 2009, 2.6 million females reported they had been diagnosed with arthritis, as compared to 1.6 million males. The gap widens considerably among seniors, for whom this condition is particularly likely to develop.
  • Cancer is the leading cause of death among Canadians. Self-reported data on prevalence rates of cancer shows variation by age and gender. Before age 45, the prevalence of cancer is relatively low (slightly under half of 1% for women and men aged 25 to 44). However, among those aged 45 to 64, the rate of cancer is 2% for both sexes. Over age 65, the rate rises to 5% for women and 7% for men.
  • Heart disease is the second leading cause of death for both sexes. Women are somewhat less likely than men to be diagnosed with heart disease. In the 45 to 64 age group, 4% of women had heart disease, compared with 7% of men.
  • Diabetes is on the rise for both sexes. While 2003 saw 578,000 women with diabetes, that count surged in 2009 to 769,000. By comparison, the number of men with diabetes reached 937,000 in 2009.
  • Data from the Canadian Public Health Agency shows there were 609 positive HIV test reports for females in 2009, compared with 1,759 for males.
  • Women are less likely than men to use tobacco. In 2009, almost one-fifth (18%) of women and girls 12 years old and up were smokers; by comparison, almost a quarter (23%) of men and boys smoked.
  • The rate of diagnosed obesity among adults has been on the rise for many years. While there was no difference overall in the likelihood of women and men becoming obese, women under the age of 60 are less likely to be overweight than men. For ages 40 to 59, overweight rates were 31% for women and 52% for men.
  • Women are less likely than men to practice physical exercise during their leisure time. Women aged 65 and over registered the lowest prevalence of leisure-time physical activity (37% compared with 50% for men). A similar gender difference was also observed among 12- to 19-year-olds. In 2009, 77% of males in this age group were at least moderately active, compared with 65% of females.
  • Female lone-parent families have the highest incidence of food insecurity. Of women who were lone parents, 23% suffered food insecurity, almost four times more than those women living with both a partner and children (6%).

For additional information, consult the "Women and Health" chapter in Women in Canada: A Gender-based Statistical Report, 6th edition, or go to http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/89-503-x/2010001/article/11543-eng.htm.

Persons reporting very good or excellent health, by household income and education level, Canada, 2009
Household income
and education level 		Females Males
25 to 44 45 to 64 65 and
over 		25 to 44 45 to 64 65 and
over
percentage
Source: Statistics Canada, Canadian Community Health Survey, 2009.
Household income
Lowest quintile 57.7 37.8 30.5 55.9 33.0 30.3
Second quintile 63.1 50.9 42.4 62.2 49.4 38.8
Third quintile 71.5 60.6 48.2 73.1 52.9 46.4
Fourth quintile 75.6 68.5 54.7 69.2 64.0 53.4
Highest quintile 79.1 72.5 59.8 77.2 63.0 60.7
Education level
Less than secondary school 48.1 38.7 30.6 53.2 41.1 35.1
Secondary school diploma 62.5 56.9 43.3 68.0 52.7 42.0
College diploma or trade certificate 67.7 59.6 46.1 68.4 57.1 41.7
University degree 75.9 73.1 55.6 73.5 63.9 55.5

Percentage of persons with two or more chronic health conditions, by age group and income quintile, Canada, 2009

Note: Eight chronic health conditions were examined: arthritis, cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), mood disorder and anxiety disorder.
Source: Statistics Canada, Canadian Community Health Survey, 2009.

Text Equivalent of Chart 1

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Date Modified:
2013-01-11