Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) – Annual Component

The Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) conducted by Statistics Canada has, since 2000, collected data on the health status, health services utilization and health determinants of Canadians 12 years of age and over. It covers the 10 Canadian provinces and three territories. Its geographical coverage provides reliable statistics by health region (HR). The survey has undergone two major revisions. Since 2007, data have been collected annually from a sample of roughly 65 000 Canadians, including roughly 12 000 Quebecers (Statistics Canada, 2018). In 2015, several methodological facets (sample frame, data collection method) have been modified and modules have been added. Table 1 presents additional details on the target population, the geographical coverage and the number of respondents.

The survey measures several physical and mental health problems but not in all cycles. Some modules are of interest with respect to long-term surveillance of health impacts of disasters. For example, certain modules estimate dependence on alcohol and its consumption, medication use, mood, consultation concerning mental health, depression, distress, illicit drug use, compulsive gambling, psychological well-being, social support, stress, suicidal thoughts and attempted suicide, and smoking. Table 4 lists the standardized instruments used in the CCHS for certain mental health indicators.

Statistics Canada produces a public use microdata file of the CCHS. It is available for research projects but the Infocentre de santé publique (Table 4) also disseminates several indicators from the CCHS (more additional information on the Infocentre, see section 4.1). Certain information is also presented in the information sheet on this survey (Study 9).

* Infocentre de santé publique.
ND : non disponible.