Leading Causes of Death
Data definitions, limitations & uses • Data Sources

There were close to 12,000 deaths among residents in Leeds, Grenville and Lanark (LGL) between 1981 and 1996. During this time period, the total death rate increased steadily for both men and women. In fact, the death rate for both men and women increased consequently every year since 1981, through to 1996 (see figure 1). This means that in LGL there are more people dying now, per year, per person, than there were 15 years ago.   The most likely reason for this trend is that the average age of the population is increasing. When the age of the population is accounted for the mortality rate in LGL actually fell between 1981 and 1996 (see figure 2). The age-standardized mortality rate fell substantially in the early 1980's but appears to be increasing again. The age-standardized mortality rate increased from 746 deaths per person in 1990-1992 to 787 deaths per person in 1994-1996. 

Compared to Ontario, mortality is high in LGL. Overall, and in eleven of the sixteen major classifications of disease (ICD Chapters), mortality was higher in LGL than in Ontario between 1994-1996 (see figure 3). Of these ICD Chapter categories of diseases, three; circulatory diseases (39%), cancers (27%) and respiratory diseases (10%) accounted for about 75% of all deaths in LGL in 1996 (see figure 4). Within these ICD chapter categories the specific leading causes of death in LGL were similar for both men (see figure 5) and women (see figure 6). They included ischemic heart disease, lung cancer and stroke. 
Below are links to charts  which show the total mortality rates, and Standardized Mortality Ratios and rates for selected causes of death. In most, cases these have been described elsewhere but appear here because they are leading causes of disease in LGL.

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Life Expectancy
Life expectancy has for many years been used as a basic indicator to describe the overall health of populations. Life expectancy is very useful because it allows reliable comparisons over time between different regions and communities. Based on the current death patterns in LGL a child born between 1992 and 1996 could expect to live to the age of 77. The life expectancy would be higher for women (80.1 years) (see fig_lef) than men (74.1 years) (see fig_lem). These life expectancies are slightly lower than those for all of Ontario.

Leading Causes of Hospitalizations
Data on hospitalization provides information on the leading health problems that contribute to morbidity (illness) requiring hospitalization. Hospitalization data can be used to help local health agencies focus prevention efforts on illnesses that create the greatest burden in their communities. Between 1994 and 1997 there was an average of approximately 18,000 hospitalizations per year, in Leeds, Grenville and Lanark (LGL). This amounts to a rate of almost 13,000 hospitalizations per 100,000 people. The leading causes of hospitalization were circulatory disease (2055 hospitalizations per 100,000 people), followed by pregnancy (1400 separation per 100,000 people) and digestive disease (1327 hospitalizations per 100,000 people) (see figure 19).
Overall, women living in LGL were more likely to be hospitalized than men (14,588 women versus11339 men per 100,000 in1994 to 1997). Although, a large proportion of this difference can be attributed to hospitalizations due to pregnancy, women were more likely to be hospitalized for cancer, some mental disorders, digestive and genitourinary disease. Men on the other hand, were more likely to have been hospitalized for circulatory and respiratory disease (see figure 20).
Below are links to charts which present total hospitalization rates, and Standardized Hospitalization Ratios (SIRs) for selected causes of hospitalization. Many of these hospitalization charts have been described elsewhere; however, it was important to replicate them here because of their obvious relevance to this section - leading causes of hospitalization in LGL.

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Potential Years of Life Lost (PYLL)
Potential Years of Life Lost (PYLL) is an indicator used to illustrate premature mortality. PYLL represents the number of years not lived by an individual from birth to age 75. Thus, the indicator gives greater weight to causes of death occurring at a younger age than to those at later ages. By emphasizing the loss of life at an early age, PYLL focuses attention on the need to deal with the major causes of early deaths like cancer, injuries and cardiovascular disease.
In Leeds, Grenville and Lanark (LGL) there were 67.8 PYLL per 1000 persons 0 to 74 years old in1996. That is, for every 1000 people living in LGL between the ages of 0 to 74 in 1996, there were approximately 67 years of life lost. This ratio was higher among males than females (89.9 PYLL in men versus 45.9 PYLL in women per 1000 persons 0 to 74 years old see figure. Cancers (33%), injuries (20%) and circulatory diseases (20%) accounted for the greatest proportion of all PYLL. Of these three, only PYLL due to injuries and circulatory diseases have decreased over time. In LGL, PYLL due to motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) (see figure 40), ishemic heart disease (IHD) (see figure 41), and stroke (see figure 42) decreased substantially between 1981 and 1996. Contrary to the aforementioned, PYLL due to lung (see figure 43), breast (see figure 44) and prostate cancer (see figure 45) either increased or stayed the same during this same period.

Health Related Quality of Life
Health means different things to different people. Therefore, asking someone how healthy they are is often one of the best ways to determine their health status.

Self-rated Health (self-perceived health)
Self-rated health (or self-perceived) health has been known to correlate with more "objective" measures of health status, health care utilization and longevity. Self-rated health summarizes physical and mental health as experienced by the individual in the context of their own individual values and beliefs. It is useful in defining the health of a community because it measures positive aspects of health, not simply the absence of disease, as many of our other health status indicators do.
In the combined regions of Leeds, Grenville and Lanark, Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington, and Hastings and Prince Edwards (LGL/KFLA/HPE), most residents 12 and older (66%) felt their health was either very good or excellent in 1996 (see figure 47). The proportion of residents 12 and older in LGL/KFLA/HPE rating their health as either very good or excellent was similar among both males and females (see figure 48) . However, there were some differences observed in this region with age. For example, older residents were less likely to report very good or excellent health. That is, 48% of residents in this region, 65 and older reported very good or excellent health, compared to 74.8% of residents 12 to19 years of age.

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Prevalence of Long-term Disability
The prevalence of long-term disability is another indicator that attempts to summarize the health of the population. This indicator focuses on the impacts of health problems on peoples' everyday activities. Like self-rated health, it provides a personal perspective on the effects of health problems. In the combined region of LGL/KFLA/HPE, 13% of all men 12 and older and 11% of all women 12 and older reported having a long term disability in 1996. Not surprising, the prevalence of a long-term disability was more common among residents 65 and older (20%) than among 20 to 44 year old residents (8%). Both men and women in this region had a higher prevalence of long-term disability than in Ontario (see figure 49).

Data definitions, limitations & uses
Leading Causes of Death
Potential Years of Life Lost
Standardized Mortality Ratio (SMR)
Total (Crude) Death Rate
Prevalence of long-term disability
Self-rated Health
Standardized Incidence, Hospitalization & Mortality Ratios
Age-Standardized Mortality Rate

Data Sources
Population Estimates Database
Ontario Mortality Database
Provincial Health Planning Database

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