Overall
By Sex
By Age Group
By Deprivation
The age-standardized hospitalization rate for asthma in Simcoe Muskoka for all ages and sexes in 2021 was 21.9 (18.2, 26.1) hospitalizations per 100,000 population, which was not significantly different from the Ontario rate of 19.5 (18.8, 20.3) hospitalizations per 100,000 population.
The asthma hospitalization rates dropped dramatically in 2020, by approximately 40% in Simcoe Muskoka and by 50% for Ontario overall. This sudden and dramatic drop can be attributed, at least in part, to changes in health care use and access during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is unclear how much the reduced transmission of other infectious diseases (like the common cold and influenza) and reduced exposures to activities and environments that exacerbate asthma may have contributed to the drop in the rate. Both the local and provincial rates increased significantly in 2021 compared with 2020; however, the provincial rate remained well below the level observed before the pandemic, while the 2021 rate for Simcoe Muskoka was approximately equal to the 2019 rate.
Prior to 2020, there was a significant downward trend in the asthma hospitalization rates in both Simcoe Muskoka and Ontario the 15-year period from 2005 to 2019 with the steepest drop in the rates occurring between 2005 and 2007.
By Sex
In 2021, the age-standardized hospitalization rate for asthma among Simcoe Muskoka males was 21.7 (16.6, 27.9) hospitalizations per 100,000, which was approximately the same as the female rate of 21.8 (16.7, 27.9) hospitalizations per 100,000. These rates were not significantly different from the comparable Ontario rates for either males or females.
The 2020 asthma hospitalization rate dropped by more than 50% among Simcoe Muskoka males compared with a 20% drop among Simcoe Muskoka females. The reason for this difference in the change in 2020 between males and females in unclear. The 2021 rates returned to pre-pandemic levels for both males and females.
Prior to 2020, there was a sharp drop in the asthma hospitalization rates among Simcoe Muskoka males between 2005 and 2007. This was followed by a flattening of the trend from 2007 through to 2019. The asthma hospitalization rates among Simcoe Muskoka females declined steadily from 2005 to 2011, followed by a flattening of the trend from 2011 to 2019.
By Age Group
Hospitalizations for asthma are most common among children under 10 years of age. The age-specific rate of asthma hospitalizations between 2017 and 2021 (combined) in Simcoe Muskoka was highest among children under 10 years of age at 119.3 (107.3, 132.4) hospitalizations per 100,000, which was not significantly different from the Ontario rate of 124.3 (121.8, 126.9) hospitalizations per 100,000 children. The provincial age-specific asthma hospitalizations rates were significantly higher than the Simcoe Muskoka rates among adults 45 years of age and older.
By Deprivation
For the time period from 2017 to 2021 (combined), Simcoe Muskoka residents living in areas with the highest amount of material deprivation (as measured by the 2016 Ontario Marginalization Index) had more than double the rate of asthma hospitalizations when compared with those living in areas with the lowest prevalence of material deprivation.
Page last updated February 15, 2023