Shocking numbers, Life expectancy in Canada fell for the third year in a row

November 28, 2023November 28, 2023accidents, canada, Canadian life expectancy, cancer, COVID, death rate, deaths in Canada, Health Canada, health care, heart disease, life expectancy, respiratory diseases

Life expectancy, a vital indicator of a nation’s overall health and well-being, provides a lens through which we can examine the progress and quality of life in a society. Canada, with its rich history and diverse population, has experienced notable changes in life expectancy over the years. Life expectancy of Canadians rose year by year, but not any more. Life expectancy in Canada declined now for 3rd consecutive year.

In the early years of Canada’s history, life expectancy was influenced by various factors, including limited medical knowledge, harsh living conditions, and infectious diseases. The 19th century saw improvements in sanitation and the advent of basic healthcare, but life expectancy remained modest compared to modern standards. The 20th century marked a turning point in Canadian healthcare and lifestyle. Advances in medical science, improved public health measures, and innovations such as vaccinations contributed to significant gains in life expectancy. The introduction of universal healthcare in the 1960s further bolstered Canadians’ access to medical services, enhancing overall health outcomes.

The two World Wars had a profound impact on life expectancy in Canada. The conflicts, while causing loss of life, also led to advancements in medical treatments and technologies. The post-war period saw the country experiencing economic growth, improved living standards, and an expanding healthcare system, all of which contributed to increased life expectancy. In recent decades, Canada has seen a steady rise in life expectancy, thanks to ongoing improvements in healthcare, disease prevention, and a focus on healthier lifestyles. Public health campaigns, awareness of nutrition, and efforts to combat smoking have played crucial roles in shaping the health landscape.

The good health care accomplishment came to an end. In Canada, life expectancy has fallen for the third year in a row. This is concerning since experts believe the pattern to be historical and points to a general reduction in health. The life expectancy of Canadians decreased to 81.3 years in 2022 from 81.6 years in 2021, according to Statistics Canada’s report Deaths, 2022, which was issued on Monday. The findings indicated that women were more affected by the reduction than men were.

In Canada, there were 334,623 deaths in 2022—a 7.3% rise from 2021. Patrice Dion, an analyst at Statistics Canada, claims that the COVID-19 epidemic, which brought the globe to a grinding halt in March 2020, is a key factor in the country’s declining life expectancy rate for three years running. According to Dion, there was a rise in mortality in 2022 among older people, primarily due to COVID-19. However, he also notes that over the past several years, there has been a rise in the death rate among younger individuals, which he feels might be related to Canada’s opioid issue and pharmaceutical side effects.

A coroner’s or medical examiner’s examination into a death may have contributed to the rise in mortality rates among younger age groups, according to Statistics Canada. From 907.2 fatalities per 100,000 people in 2021 to 972.5 deaths in 2022, the age-standardized mortality rate—which accounts for variations in a population’s age structure over time—also rose.

Leading causes oof death in Canada

With heart disease and cancer together accounting for 41.8% of fatalities in 2022, they continued to be Canada’s two greatest causes of death. Heart disease and cancer together accounted for 44.3% of all fatalities in 2021.

Accidents (unintentional injuries), cerebrovascular disease (stroke), chronic lower respiratory illnesses, diabetes mellitus, influenza and pneumonia, Alzheimer’s disease, chronic liver disease and cirrhosis, and diabetes mellitus rounded out the top 10 major causes of death in 2022. The top ten causes of death accounted for 227,705 deaths in 2022, or 68.2% of total fatalities.

COVID-19 was the third leading cause of death in Canada with 9.2% of overall fatalities followed by accidents and respiratory diseases. Malignant neoplasms or better known as cancer was leading factor of deaths in Canada with 38.5% of overall deaths. Heart Diseases were on the second spot with 57.357 deaths in Canada during 2022.