Nova Scotians Report on Their Health and Health System

Fewer Nova Scotians are smoking, yet more than half of us say we are overweight. Nearly all Nova Scotians have a family doctor, and more than 80 per cent are satisfied with the way health-care services are provided.

These are some of Nova Scotians' views of their own health and their health-care system released today, Nov. 30, in a report entitled A Measure of our Health and Health System.

The report is part of a federal/provincial/territorial initiative that takes a co-ordinated approach to reporting health information.

"Working with other governments across Canada to identify health indicators makes good sense," said Angus MacIsaac, Minister of Health. "This collaborative approach allows us the opportunity to learn from each other and to help us better manage our health system."

Nova Scotia is joining other provinces and territories in releasing its report today. All reports will provide information on common health indicators collected by Health Canada, and the Canadian Institute of Health Information.

The Nova Scotia data suggests that while we still face challenges in our health and health care system, we are making progress.

In 2003:

• 95 per cent of Nova Scotians aged 15 and over reported having a family doctor;
• 14 per cent to 26 per cent of Nova Scotians reported having difficulty accessing health information, health services or care at any time of the day;
• more than 80 per cent of Nova Scotians were satisfied with the way health-care services were provided;
• only 58 per cent of Nova Scotians aged 12 and over rated their health as very good or excellent;
• almost 10 per cent fewer Nova Scotians aged 12 and over reported being smokers than in 1994-95;
• more than half of Nova Scotians aged 18 and over (54 per cent) reported being overweight or obese;
• almost five per cent more Nova Scotians reported being moderately active to active than in 2001.

This is the second report stemming from an agreement made by premiers and the prime minister in 2000 to report on standardized health indicators. "We believe that health decisions must be based on good evidence," said Mr. MacIsaac. "That is why we are sharing this information with the public and our health partners. Nova Scotia is also investing in information management and information technology initiatives so we can deliver better health care to Nova Scotians."

For more health information, and the technical specifications of this federal/provincial/territorial project will be available on Wednesday, Dec. 1, on the website at http://www.cihi.ca/comparable- indicators . Copies of Nova Scotia's A Measure of Our Health and Health System Report will be distributed to the district health authorities and the IWK Health Centre. The report is also available online by clicking the reports link at http://www.gov.ns.ca/health or by contacting the Department of Health at 902-424-8291.