The Burden of Chronic Diseases in Ontario

The Burden of Chronic Diseases in Ontario report provides data and evidence to support health system planning, and policy and program development for chronic disease prevention in Ontario. It presents estimates of deaths, hospitalizations, new cases and people living with chronic disease diagnoses in Ontario. It also presents estimates of the prevalence of modifiable chronic disease risk factors in Ontario for adults and youth.

The chronic diseases discussed in the report include cancers, cardiovascular diseases, chronic lower respiratory disease and diabetes. The risk factors examined were tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption, physical inactivity and unhealthy eating – these modifiable risk factors are all common to the four major chronic diseases highlighted in this report.

This report was produced jointly by Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario) and Public Health Ontario.

Highlights

• Chronic diseases are the leading cause of death in Ontario. They are costly to treat and are preventable.
• The main modifiable risk factors for chronic diseases are common. Over half of people in Ontario have two or more risk factors and few have no risk factors. 
• The economic costs in Ontario attributable to the risk factors for chronic diseases are significant.
• Some populations in Ontario have a disproportionate burden of chronic diseases and prevalence of chronic disease risk factors, including Indigenous peoples in Ontario, people with low socioeconomic status and people with poor mental health.

To read the full The Burden of Chronic Diseases in Ontario and supplementary documents, contact our Prevention team using the contact form for a digital copy.

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