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Frequently Asked Questions

What is HealthSTATS?

HealthSTATS contains data and supporting documentation intended for public health, hospitals, clinics, local government, schools, other community agencies and the general public. Health status information is useful for the planning of services aimed at improving the health of our community.

Over time, other topic areas will be added to HealthSTATS. Provincial data are used for comparative purposes where available and appropriate.

How is HealthSTATS organized?

Information is grouped into topic areas and each topic can have several subtopics or ‘health indicators’. Health indicators are used to measure the health of the Simcoe Muskoka population. Indicators are produced from a wide range of the most recently available data sources, and are designed to provide comparable information at the public health unit and provincial level.

Focus reports are provided on the Focus Report section of HealthSTATS. Each report features a health topic of interest. Two focus reports are produced each year.

Where do we get statistics from?

Health information comes from a variety of data sources. The primary data sources are the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, Statistics Canada and Cancer Care Ontario. Among additional sources cited in HealthSTATS is the Ontario Rapid Risk Factor Surveillance System (RRFSS). This is a new surveillance system in Ontario that provides some data about risk factors and health behaviours in our communities. Updates may be added to this report as they become available throughout the year.

How do we use statistics?

The study of health outcomes (the change in a person’s or population’s health status due to a planned program or series of programs) helps in planning programs and services that serve the needs of the population. Planning based on the health status of the Simcoe Muskoka community allows programs and services to be targeted to those most in need.

What about confidentiality and security of the data? Can individuals be identified?

As outlined in the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act of Ontario, personal information regarding any individual (i.e. name, address, etc.) is not contained in our datasets. Rather, sensitive information that could possibly lead to the disclosure of an individual’s identity is protected by “grouping” the data. If the number of individuals counted in any health condition category is less than five, the category is indicated with a ‘—‘ or ‘<5’ OR categories are combined, which forms a count of five or greater.

If I use the information in a publication, report or school project, how do I acknowledge HealthSTATS?

The following acknowledgement and source citation is suggested:

Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit. HealthSTATS. [Online]. 2006 [cited year month day];Available from: URL:< >

What if I want more information?

If you have any questions about the content of HealthSTATS or require additional information, please email hconnect@smdhu.org or call Your Health Connection at 705.721.7520 or 1.877.721.7520.