Overall
By Sex
By Age Group
By Deprivation
Overall
There were over 1,200 stroke-related emergency visits by Simcoe Muskoka residents in 2021. The age-standardized rate for stroke-related emergency visits in Simcoe Muskoka for all ages and sexes in 2021 was 163 (153.8, 172.5) visits per 100,000 population, which was significantly higher than the Ontario rate of 142 (139.7, 143.3) visits per 100,000 population.
The stroke emergency visit rates dropped in 2020 by approximately 5% in Simcoe Muskoka and 10% in Ontario. It is unclear if this decrease was due to changes in health care use and access during the COVID-19 pandemic. The local and provincial rates in 2021 were similar to 2020 and remained below pre-pandemic levels.
The trend in the stroke emergency visit rates was similar for both Simcoe Muskoka and Ontario from 2003 to 2013 with rates decreasing in 2003 to 2007, before increasing sharply from 2007 to 2009. This was followed by a flattening of the rates from 2009 to 2013. The rates in Simcoe Muskoka increased significantly form 2013 to 2017 then did not change significantly from 2019 to 2019. The Ontario rates increased significantly from 2013 to 2015 while not changing significantly from 2015 to 2019. The stroke emergency visit rates in Simcoe Muskoka have been significantly higher than Ontario since 2014.
By Sex
In 2021, the age-standardized stroke emergency visit rate among Simcoe Muskoka males was 183 (169.0, 198.0) visits per 100,000, which was significantly higher than the female rate of 145 (132.7, 157.3) visits per 100,000. The stroke emergency visit rates for Ontario males and females were significantly lower than the comparable rates in Simcoe Muskoka.
The 2020 stroke emergency visit rates dropped by about 10 per cent among Simcoe Muskoka males and five per cent among females. The 2021 rates were similar to 2022 rates for both males and females in Simcoe Muskoka. The stroke-related emergency visit rates among Simcoe Muskoka males have been consistently above those for females.
By Age Group
Emergency visits for stroke increases with age. The age-specific rate for stroke emergency visits between 2017 and 2021 (combined) in Simcoe Muskoka was highest among those 75 years and older at 1,146 (1,103.6, 1,188.8) emergency visits per 100,000 populations. This was more than twice the rate for those 65 to 74 years of age and more than six-times the rate for those 45 to 64 years of age. The stroke emergency visit rate among those 75 years and older in Simcoe Muskoka was significantly higher than the comparable provincial average as was the rate among adults 45 to 64 years of age.
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 significantly higher rates of stroke emergency visits when compared with those living in areas with the least amount of material deprivation.
Page last updated February 22, 2023