Introduction
The knowledge of demographic dynamics is an important field that assist countries to plan for provision of services for its population now and in the future. Throughout Canadian history, demographic patterns have had several consequences for its society as a whole, especially political influence, social programs, and infrastructural needs of some regions within the country (Demographic Division, 2016).
Demographic patterns in Canada arouses interest to study because of the following reasons: based on human population, Canada ranks among the top 20% worldwide alongside being one of the wealthiest countries in terms of per capita indicator of economic development, provision of healthcare services, and so on (Freedman, 2018). By planning with demographic patterns, Canada offers better healthcare services to its population.
Population Forecasting
Canada’s population has been positively growing exponentially and will continue to grow, although not as rapid as it was between 1990-2017. In 1990, the overall population was 27.2 million, which rose to 36.0 million in 2017 (IHME, 2017). Therefore, the increase in population between 1990 and 2017 is 8.8 million, representing a 32.4% growth. By 2100 the population is expected to increase to 44.1 million (IHME, 2017). The antedated increase will be 8.1 million, a 22.5% growth. Beyond 2100, there will be no significant increase in Canada’s population.
The Older Versus Younger People
The age of the Canadian population has been changing significantly since 1990 and is expected to change in 2100. The ageing population is part of the significant changes linked to Canada’s age-sex structure and is caused by the increasing ages of baby boomers (Statistics Canada, 2018). Of the G7 countries, Canada has the lowest population aged 65 and above, and it comes second in the rank after the US (Statistics Canada, 2018). It also has the largest proportion of the working-age population (age 15-64) (Statistics Canada, 2018). The number of people aged 55-64 exceeds those aged 15-24 years. Moreover, the median age is between 34-47 years. Canadian women outnumber men slightly. Nunavut has the youngest population compared to all other provinces of Canada.
Fertility Trend
The total fertility rate indicates the number of children a woman delivers over her lifetime. The fertility rate determines the population of a given country. From 1990 to 2017, the Canadian fertility rate was 1.700 birth per woman, indicating no change in fertility (IHME, 2017). However, in 2100, the total fertility rate is projected at 1.600 births per woman, a 0.100 decline from 2017(IHME, 2017). A decline in the total fertility rate will reduce the Canadian population, consequently improving good health care. This is because a low population places little strain on health resources.
Expenditure on Health
Health spending is the measure of the final consumption of healthcare goods and services. Canada spends much on healthcare, in fact, it ranks 11th globally in terms of health expenditure (OECD, 2021). Consequently, the huge money spent on health indicates that healthcare services are goods, are highly consumed in Canada. Currently, health expenditure amounts to $4,919 (as of 2017) and will increase to $ 6,639 by 2050 (IHME, 2017).
As highlighted by IHME (2017) , the sources of health expenditure are prepaid private spending, out-of-pocket spending, development assistance for health, and government health spending. Regardless of the year, government health spending contributes the largest portion of health spending (Demographic Division, 2016). The predicted upsurge in health expenditure suggests possible improvement in quality as well as the consumption of healthcare goods and services.
Effectiveness Healthcare Within Canada
How well is this country or territory providing effective, essential health services.
According to IHME (2017), Canadian health system have good access to health care services, with average scores for quality of care and use of resources. The Universal Health Coverage (UHC) effective coverage index represents service coverage across population health needs and how much these services could improve health. From 1990 to 2017, the average service coverage across the population needs have grown from 79.8 to 90.3, a 10.5 increase. This implies that the Canadian health system is effective in meeting the needs of its population. Further, effectivities health system implies adequate health care facilities, enough health care providers, less cost of treatment, and better health care equipment.
The Prevalent Causes of Deaths
The most common causes of death in Canada are lower respiration infection, Alzheimer’s disease, lower respiratory infection, chronic kidney, and falls. In the order of severity, according to IHME (2017), Alzheimer’s disease (45.6%), lower respiratory infection (43.3%), chronic kidney (41.6%), and falls (34.5%) are the most prevalent. The prevalence of these disease has several implications: most Canadian population has poor lifestyle (linked to Alzheimer’s disease), the level of pollution is high (linked to lower respiratory infection), are most diabetic (linked to the chronic kidney), and has large aged population characterized by ageing diseases (fall).
Trend in Child Mortality
Between 1990 and 2019, the child mortality rate has been declining for children under age 1 and 5. In 1990, there were 6.8 and 8.1 deaths per 1,000 live births for children under age 1 and 5, respectively (IHME, 2017). These numbers decreased by 2019 to 4.2 and 4.9 deaths per 1,000 live births (IHME, 2017). More children under age 5 die than those under age 1. Furthermore, infant mortality with the rate highest in Nunavut province, 21.4 deaths per 1,000 live births are registered (SRD, 2021). By extension, reducing the rate of mortality for infants shows improvement in infant care quality and coverage.
Causes of Death and Disability Combined
Causes of death and disability combined are put into three categories: communicable (nutritional, neonatal, and maternal diseases), non-communicable, and injuries. Non-communicable diseases include ischemic heart disease, lung cancer, low back pain, stroke, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), drug use disorders, headache disorders, and diabetes. Injuries are mainly caused by falls, which is one of the greatest threats to healthy living. Over 50% of death and disability combined are caused by falls (IHME, 2017). Of the non-communicable diseases, drug use causes most death and disability, estimated at 30% (IHME, 2017). Therefore, the leading causes of death and disability combined are drug use disorders and falls.
Causes of Death and Disability Compared to Other Locations
Compared to countries such as Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Sweden, and the US, Canada is doing better in terms of managing causes of death. Canada offers good care for diseases, including Ischemic heart disease, low back pain, and other musculoskeletal diseases (IHME, 2017). However, Canada is highly affected by diseases such as drug disorders, lung cancer, headache disorders, neonatal disorders, depressive disorders, diabetes, and self-harm. Canada is ranked third after the US and Sweden in terms of the provision of quality healthcare services (OECD, 2021). Overall, Canada has comprehensive healthcare services for ischemic heart disease, where it ranks top.
Risk Factor for Death and Disability Combined
Risk factors to death and disability combined are classified into behavioral, metabolic, and environmental or occupational. Occupational risk is solely the leading of environmental associated death, and it has an increasing trend between 2009-2019 (IHME, 2017). High fasting glucose is the major metabolic risk factor. However, behavioral risk factors contribute to more deaths and disability than the other two categories of risk factors. In particular, drug use and high fasting plasma glucose accounts for a more significant percentage of deaths and disability combine, 45.2% and 43.1% (IHME, 2017). Overall, drug use is the leading risk factor for deaths and disability combined.
Conclusion and Recommendation
Demographic patterns in Canada reflect what should happen in other countries to guide actions regarding the provision of healthcare services. Contextually, high infant mortality rates in Nunavut province and unsuccessful lifestyles have mainly contributed to most deaths and disability. Many deaths and disabilities are associated with metabolic and behavioral risks. Policymakers should allocate more resources to Nunavut province to address the child mortality crisis. Similarly, efforts should be directed to managing lifestyles, including metabolic activities and behavior-based actions to improve the health and safety of individuals. For instance, they should encourage physical exercise and discourage people from drug use.
References
- IHME. (2017).Canada. Web.
- Demographic Division. (2016). Canadian Demographics at a glance (2nd ed). Authority Minister for Statistics Canada.
- Freedman, B. (2018). Environmental science: A Canadian perspective (6th ed). Dalhousie University.
- OECD. (2021). Health spending (indicator). OECD iLibrary. Web.
- Statistics Canada. (2018). Analysis: Population by age and sex. Web.
- Statista Research Department. (2021). Infant mortality rate, by province or territory Canada. Statista. Web.