Overall By Sex By Age Group By Deprivation
There were over 700 hospital stays for Diabetes Mellitus (DM) among residents of Simcoe Muskoka in 2021, for an age-standardized hospitalization rate of 105.9 (98.0, 114.2) hospitalizations per 100,000 population, which was not significantly different from the Ontario rate of 101.9 (100.3, 103.6) hospitalizations; per 100,000 population.
The DM hospitalization rates dropped in 2020 by over 10% in Simcoe Muskoka and by approximately 5% for Ontario overall. In 2021, the rate dropped again in Simcoe Muskoka by another 5% while increasing slightly for Ontario overall. It is unclear why the local pattern was different from the provincial average and if this sustained decrease in the local rates was due to changes in health care use and access during the COVID-19 pandemic.
From the mid-2000’s to the early 2010’s there was a significant downward trend in the DM hospitalization rates in both Simcoe Muskoka and Ontario overall; however, from the early 2010’s to 2019 there was a significant upward trend in rates.
By Sex
In 2021, the age-standardized DM hospitalization rate among Simcoe Muskoka males was 128.6 (116.5, 141.8) hospitalizations per 100,000, which was significantly higher than the female rate of 84.4 (74.5, 95.2) hospitalizations per 100,000. The DM hospitalization rates for both Ontario females and males were not significantly different from he comparable Simcoe Muskoka rates in 2021.
The 2021 DM hospitalization rates dropped by about 10% among Simcoe Muskoka males compared with a 15% drop among Simcoe Muskoka females. In 2021, the rate among males remained relatively stable, while the female rate dropped again by more than 10%. Both the Simcoe Muskoka male and female DM hospitalization rates declined significantly from 2005 to 2012 with an average annual decrease of approximately 4% per year. From 2012 to 2019 the male and female DM hospitalization rates increased at small but significant rate.
By Age Group
Hospitalizations for DM increases with age. The age-specific rate for DM hospitalizations between 2017 and 2021 (combined) in Simcoe Muskoka was highest among those 75 years and older at 294.6 (273.4, 316.9) hospital discharges per 100,000 population. The Simcoe Muskoka age-specific DM hospitalization rates were not significantly different from the provincial rates for seniors 65 years of age and older; however, the Simcoe Muskoka rates were significantly higher than the provincial rates for all age groups less than 65 years.
By Deprivation
For the 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 nearly triple the rate of DM hospitalizations when compared with those living in areas with the least amount of material deprivation.
Page last updated February 7, 2023