GlossaryA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZAboriginal IdentityIn the census, refers to those persons who reported identifying with at least one Aboriginal group, i.e. North American, Indian, Métis or Inuit (Eskimo), and/or those who reported being a Treaty Indian or a Registered Indian as defined by the Indian Act of Canada and/or who were members of an Indian Band or First Nation. In 1991 and previous censuses, Aboriginal persons were determined using the ethnic origin question (ancestry). The 1996 Census included a question on the individual's own perception of his/her Aboriginal identity. The 2001 Census question is the same as the one used in 1996. Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP)Paralysis is a loss of muscle function to one or more muscle groups. Flaccid paralysis is paralysis with reduced muscle tone. Acute flaccid paralysis is the sudden onset of flaccid paralysis that can not be explained by any other cause (e.g. trauma). Age DistributionThe frequency (number of people) of each age or age group in a population. Age Standardized Incidence Rate The incidence rate that a population would have if it had a standard age distribution. Age standardization is used to compare incidence rates of disease between populations with different age distributions. For example, sexually transmitted infections (STI's) are more common among 15-24 year olds so a population with a higher proportion of this age group will have a higher overall incidence rate of STI's. In order to determine which population has a higher incidence rate regardless of age distribution, the rates must be age standardized. BacteriaSingle cell microorganisms, some of which cause infections and disease in humans.
Body Fluids Liquid components of living organisms (e.g. blood, semen, vaginal secretions). Cardiovascular SystemThe heart and the blood vessels through which blood is pumped and circulated through the body. ChancreA primary sore or ulcer at the site of entry of a pathogen. Childhood OverweightBody mass index (BMI) is typically used to measure overweight in children. BMI is calculated by dividing the child’s weight in kilograms by their height in metres squared. There are two different ways to determine if a child is overweight based on their measured BMI: the CDC growth charts to determine the corresponding BMI-for-age percentile OR the International Obesity Taskforce (IOTF) recommended BMI cut-off points.
Using the CDC growth chart method, the child’s BMI is plotted on the CDC BMI-for-age growth charts (for either girls or boys) to obtain a percentile ranking. The percentile indicates the relative position of the child’s BMI among children of the same sex and age. Overweight is defined as a BMI at or above the 95th percentile for children of the same age and sex. Those with BMI from the 85th to less than the 95th percentile are considered at risk of overweight.
The recommended IOTF BMI cut-off points were developed by researcher Tim Cole and others. They are based on pooled international data (Brazil, Great Britain, Hong Kong, Netherlands, Singapore and United States) for BMI and linked to the internationally accepted adult BMI cut-off points of 25 (overweight) and 30 (obese). CensusThe census collects information on every man, woman and child in Canada. It provides a statistical portrait of Canada and its people. A census is conducted once every five years in this country. The most recent census was on May 16, 2006. Data are collected through a questionnaire that is filled out by an adult in each household and mailed back to Statistics Canada. Not all respondents receive the same questionnaire. Four out of five households receive a short form while the remaining one in five receives a long form. The short form contains seven questions: the respondent’s name, sex, age, marital and common-law status, family and household relationships and mother tongue. The long form includes the seven questions from the short questionnaire plus 52 additional questions, including a question on religion and new questions on birthplace of parents and language spoken at work. This method of gathering detailed data from a sample of households was first employed in the 1941 Census of Canada. Sampling is an effective collection method, yielding high-quality data while reducing costs. Census DivisionA census division is a group of neighbouring municipalities joined together for the purposes of regional planning and managing common services. Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)A clear body fluid that is found around and inside the brain. CommutingTraveling from one's residence to one's regular place of business and back to the residence. Confidence IntervalThe 95% confidence interval indicates the interval or range within which the true population percentage probably lies. The reason for using confidence intervals is due to the uncertainty, or sampling error, associated with using results obtained from a sample to draw conclusions about the entire population from which the sample was drawn. The confidence interval (in our case, a 95% confidence interval) can also be interpreted as being 95% likely to include the percentage value we would have obtained if we had studied every member of the target population. DatabaseA collection of data arranged for ease and speed of retrieval. DemographicsDemography is the study of populations, especially with reference to size and density, fertility, mortality, growth, age distribution, migration and vital statistics, and the interaction of all these with social and economic conditions. Determinant of HealthAny factor that influences the health of individuals, communities and jurisdictions as a whole. Factors include, but are not limited to age, ethnicity, occupation, income, education level and risk factor behaviours (i.e. smoking, alcohol misuse, etc.) DiseaseA state of physiological or psychological dysfunction. Ethnic OriginRefers to the ethnic or cultural group(s) to which a person's ancestors belong. ExpectedConsidered likely to occur based on multiple mathematical and historical factors. Home LanguageRefers to the language spoken most often or on a regular basis at home by the individual at the time of the census. Health IndicatorA variable that reflects the state of health of persons in a community. Examples include infant mortality rates, incidence rates of infectious diseases, current smoking rates, etc. Health OutcomeAll identified changes in health status. Health StatusThe degree to which a person is able to function physically, emotionally or socially, with or without aid from the health care system. Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS)A group of rare disorders that are characterized by varying degrees of kidney failure, low platelet count and hemolytic anemia. ImmunityState of being protected against infectious disease. IncidenceThe number of new cases of disease occuring during a defined time period in a defined population. Incidence Rate The rate at which new cases of disease occur in a defined population during a defined time period. It is the number of new cases of disease relative to the total population at risk. It is usually expressed as number of cases per 100,000 people. InfectionThe entry and development or multiplication of an infectious agent in the body. A person can be infected with an infectious agent but not experience any disease. InfectiousCapable of causing infection. Infectious AgentAn organism (agent) capable of causing infection such as bacteria, viruses or parasites. InvasivePenetrates sites where bacteria are not usually found such as blood or cerebrospinal fluid. Labour ForceRefers to persons who were either employed or unemployed during the week (Sunday to Saturday) prior to Census Day. Latent Tuberculosis Infection (Latent TB)People with latent TB infection have TB bacteria in their bodies, but the bacteria are not active so these people are not sick. This is different than TB disease where the bacteria are multiplying and damaging tissue. People with latent TB infection do not have symptoms of TB disease and they cannot spread the germs to others. However, they may develop TB disease in the future. They are often prescribed medicine to prevent them from developing TB disease. This medicine must be taken for several months. LesionAn abnormal change in structure of an organ or part due to injury or disease. Low Income Cut-off (LICO)Income levels at which families or unattached individuals spend 20% more than average on food, shelter and clothing. The low income cut-offs (LICOs)represent levels of income where people spend disproportionate amounts of money for food, shelter, and clothing. LICOs are based on family and community size. The cut-offs are regularly updated to account for changes in the consumer price index. MicroorganismAn organism of microscopic or submicroscopic size. Mucous MembraneWet, thin tissue found in certain openings to the human body. These can include the mouth, eyes, nose, vagina, rectum and opening of the penis. Necrotizing Fasciitis ("flesh-eating disease")A rare and severe infection of the deeper layers of skin and underlying tissue. Many bacteria can cause necrotizing fasciitis. The most common cause is group A streptococcus. Nervous SystemThe brain, brainstem, spinal cord, nerves and other nerve cells and tissue. Official LanguageRefers to the ability to conduct a conversation in English only, in French only, in both English and French, or in neither of the official languages of Canada. OutbreakAn increase in incidence of a disease above expected levels. PathogenA microorganism that causes disease. This could be bacteria, viruses, parasites or other microorganisms. PneumoniaPneumonia is an inflammation or infection of the lungs most commonly caused by a bacteria or virus. Population PyramidThe most important demographic characteristic of a population is its age-sex structure. Age-sex pyramids (also known as population pyramids) graphically display this information to improve understanding and ease comparison. Age-sex pyramids display the percentage or actual amount of a population broken down by gender and age. The five-year age increments on the y-axis (vertical axis) allow the pyramid to reflect long term trends in the birth and death rates but also reflect shorter term baby-booms, wars and epidemics. Post-secondaryRefers to all programs for high school graduates, including programs at two and four-year colleges/universities, and vocational and technical schools. PrevalenceThe number of existing cases of disease or health condition at a particular time in a defined population. Private HouseholdsPerson or group of persons occupying the same dwelling. ProtozoaAny of a large group of single-celled, usually microscopic organisms, such as amoebas, ciliates and flagellates. Some can cause disease in humans. Recent MothersWomen aged 15-55 years who have given birth in the past five years. Reportable DiseaseOntario's Health Protection and Promotion Act states that certain infectious diseases or suspected occurrences of these diseases must be reported to local health units by health care providers, laboratories and administrators of institutions such as long-term care homes. Health units must in turn report these diseases to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. These are known as reportable diseases. Scarlet FeverA rare disease characterized by fever, reddish rash, inflammation of the nose, throat and mouth. It is caused by group A streptococcus bacteria. Sexual ContactSexual intercourse or other intimate sexual contact. SignificantUnlikely to have occurred by chance. Smoking Status - Adult
Daily smoker – smokes at least one cigarette per day
Occasional smoker – smokes cigarettes occasionally, but not every day
Former smoker – smoked daily or occasionally before but is now a non-smoker
Never smoker – never smoked, not even a whole cigarette
Current smoker – includes both daily and occasional smokers
Smoking Status - YouthDaily smoker – has ever smoked a cigarette, even just a few puffs AND has smoked every day or almost every day in the 30 days preceding the survey Occasional smoker - has ever smoked a cigarette, even just a few puffs AND has smoked some days or only 1 or 2 days in the 30 days preceding the survey Non-smoker - has never smoked OR has smoked fewer than 100 cigarettes in his/her lifetime and has not smoked at all in the last 30 days Current smoker - includes both daily and occasional smokers Socioeconomic StatusDescriptive term for a person's position in society, which may be expressed using such criteria as income, educational level attained, occupation, value of dwelling, etc. Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome (STSS)A rare, severe disease that is characterized by fever, nausea, diarrhea, redness of the skin and shock. It is caused by group A streptococcus bacteria. Strep ThroatAn inflammatory sore throat caused by group A streptococcus bacteria. Surveillance The systematic, ongoing collection, collation, analysis and dissemination of data for the purposes of public health action. Tuberculosis (TB) Disease (also known as Active Tuberculosis)People with TB disease are sick from TB bacteria that are active, meaning that the bacteria are multiplying and destroying tissue in their body. This is different than latent TB infection where the bacteria are not active and therefore not causing disease. People with TB disease usually have symptoms. People with TB disease of the lungs or throat are capable of spreading TB bacteria to others. They are prescribed several special TB medicines that can treat TB disease. Treatment is different for each person and takes many months. It is important to keep taking the medicines even if the person feels better because feeling better does not mean that the disease is completely gone. A doctor must be the one to decide when the person can stop taking the medicines. VaccinationThe introduction of vaccine into the body for the purpose of inducing immunity. VectorOrganisms that transmit human disease or play an essential role in the life cycle of a pathogenic agent. VirusMicroorganism consisting of DNA or RNA and a protein coat. Viruses invade host cells to survive and can cause infection and disease in humans.
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