Health Neighbourhoods

The Health Neighbourhoods website has five parts:

1. Map Viewer
2. Indicator Summaries dashboard
3. Neighbourhood Profiles dashboard
4. Reports
5. Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

The Map Viewer opens at the “points of interest” tab which allows users to zoom in to Neighbourhoods and view features such as parks, child care centres, senior’s residences, schools, transit routes, etc. Clicking on a specific point of interest opens a pop-up box with more information. The Map Viewer also allows users to see maps of all the indicators.

The Indicator Summaries are displayed in an interactive dashboard that opens in a separate browser window, organized by the categories child health, general health, health behaviours & risks, and socio-demographics. The indicator summary includes definitions, a map that shows how that indicator varies by neighbourhood, and tables that provide rates, counts and a comparison of the neighbourhood to Durham Region and Ontario.

The Neighbourhood Profiles are displayed in an interactive dashboard that opens in a separate browser window, with data for all 50 Health Neighbourhoods, organized by the eight municipalities. Each profile has a map and basic information about the Neighbourhood and a table providing information on all of the indicators with a comparison to Durham Region. Profiles are also provided for the municipalities and for Durham Region, which we compare with Ontario.

Health Neighbourhoods Release 4 was launched in June 2022 and featured a new Map Viewer platform and online dashboards to replace the PDF summaries and profiles used in earlier versions.

This release also included:

• 96 indicators in total
• 20 new indicators
• 66 indicators with time comparisons
• 33 socio-demographic indicators updated with 2016 census data

The 20 new indicators are:

1. Population density (2016)
2. Foreign-born population (2016)
3. Non-English speakers (2016)
4. Home language not English (2016)
5. Seniors in low-income households (2016)
6. Adverse Childhood Events (ACE)-like risk factors: Maternal mental illness (2013-2015, 2016-2018)
7. ACE-like risk factors: Maternal smoking or substance use (2013-2015, 2016-2018)
8. ACE-like risk factors: One or more ACE-like risk factors (2013-2015, 2016-2018)
9. Premature mortality in males (2012-2016)
10. Premature mortality in females (2012-2016)
11. Mental Health and Additions (MHA) doctor visits, ages 0-24 (2013, 2016)
12. Mental Health and Addictions (MHA) emergency visits, ages 0-24 (2013, 2016)
13. Diabetes incidence, ages 20+ (2013, 2016)
14. Hypertension prevalence, ages 20+ (2013, 2016)
15. Self-harm emergency visits, ages 10-24 (2010-2012, 2015-2017)
16. Assault emergency visits, ages 10-24 (2010-2012, 2015-2017)
17. Walk or cycle trips to school, ages 11-17 (2011, 2016)
18. Walk, cycle or transit to work, ages 18+ (2011, 2016)
19. Non-urgent ambulance calls (2015-2017)
20. Non-urgent ambulance calls in seniors (2015-2017)

More detail is in The Guide to Health Neighbourhoods.

Health Neighbourhoods uses a variety of data sources that are available to Durham Region Health Department. More details are in The Guide to Health Neighbourhoods.

The data sources are:

1. 2016 (and 2011) Census, Statistics Canada
2. BORN Information System (BIS), BORN Ontario
3. Healthy Babies Healthy Children (HBHC), Integrated Services for Children Information System (ISCIS)
4. Infant Feeding Surveillance System (IFSS), Durham Region Health Department
5. Early Development Instrument (EDI), Durham Region Children’s Services Division, Durham Region Social Services Department
6. Ontario Office of the Registrar General Database (ORGD) Mortality Data, IntelliHealth, Ministry of Health
7. Discharge Abstract Database (DAD), Hospital In-Patient Database, IntelliHealth, Ministry of Health
8. National Ambulatory Care Reporting System (NACRS), IntelliHealth, Ministry of Health
9. Ontario Medical Services (OHIP), IntelliHealth, Ministry of Health
10. Rapid Risk Factor Surveillance System (RRFSS), Durham Region Health Department and Institute for Social Research at York University
11. ICES: Asthma Dataset (ASTHMA); Ontario Diabetes Dataset (ODD); Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Dataset; Ontario Hypertension Dataset (HYPER); Breast Cancer Screening Registry; Cervical Cancer Screening Registry; Colorectal Cancer Screening Registry; Ontario Office of the Registrar General Database for mortality data; Discharge Abstract Database (DAD) for hospitalization data; Same Day Surgery Database (SDS); OHIP Claims Database; Registered Persons Database (RPDB); Yearly Ontario Population estimates and projections (POP)
12. Digital Health Immunization Repository (Panorama), Ministry of Health
13. Integrated Public Health Information System (iPHIS), Ministry of Health
14. Incident-based Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Survey, Durham Region Police Service (DRPS)
15. Ambulance Dispatch Report Database, Region of Durham Paramedic Services (RDPS)
16. Transportation Tomorrow Survey (TTS)

The Health Department created the boundaries so that each Health Neighbourhood had a large enough population size to accurately present health information. On average, there were 13,000 people in each neighbourhood in 2016, although the population varied from 8,300 in Westney Heights to 22,000 in Northeast Ajax. The Health Neighbourhoods are typically larger than what most would think of as a “neighbourhood”, but this was necessary for reporting health statistics. The neighbourhoods are groupings of adjacent Statistics Canada Dissemination Areas (DAs). DAs cover all areas of Canada and have populations of approximately 400 to 700 persons per DA, or even larger in areas of high population growth. We grouped Durham Region DAs within the eight municipalities into neighbourhoods based on population size and demographic characteristics such as income. Boundaries followed physical barriers such as highways, major roads, railway lines, and rivers and creeks.

Durham Region Health Department, Health Neighbourhoods. June 2022. Available at: durham.ca/neighbourhoods.

Specific indicators or products such as Reports, Indicator Summaries and Neighbourhood Profiles may be included in the citation.

For example:

• Durham Region Health Department, Indicator Summary for Preterm births, 2013-2015 and 2016-2018. Health Neighbourhoods. June 2022.
• Durham Region Health Department, Neighbourhood Profile for Frenchman’s Bay, Pickering. Health Neighbourhoods. June 2022.
• Durham Region Health Department, Building on Health in Priority Neighbourhoods. December 2015.

The Map Viewer identifies “points of interest” (POIs) such as schools, recreational facilities, healthcare facilities, trails, and much more. The Map Viewer and maps were created by GIS Services in the Region of Durham. The POIs are updated at least annually from a variety of municipal and regional sources. Roads and boundaries are part of a base map that the Region uses in its GIS applications. Clicking on a POI icon will open a pop-up window with more information.

• Child Care – all licensed child care facilities operating in Durham Region. Durham Region Children’s Services Division updates quarterly.
• Early Years Centres – all main hubs, outreach and satellite programs in Durham Region that are part of the Ontario Early Years Centres. The information is updated annually.
• Community facilities – community centres and community halls.
• Recreation facilities – community centres and parks, arenas, pools and athletic centres.
• Healthcare contains medical centres, health clinics, and urgent care centres.
• Hospitals include Lakeridge Health locations and Oak Valley Health – Uxbridge Hospital.
• Mental health services include physical locations of crisis services and supports, mental health support services, and counselling services. Durham Region Health Department updates annually.
• Transportation includes GO Stations, bus terminals, and the Oshawa airport.
• Transit routes – Durham Region Transit (DRT) bus routes.
• Bus boarding points – bus stops and bus shelters that are part of Durham Region Transit. Accessibility of boarding points is indicated as green (accessible) or orange (not accessible or partially accessible).
• Government offices – municipal, regional, provincial and federal offices that provide community services. Updated on an hoc basis or at least annually.
• Schools – elementary and secondary schools from all school boards in Durham Region, as well as private and post-secondary institutions. Updated as needed.
• Social and affordable housing – social housing managed by Durham Regional Local Housing Corporation (DRLHC) and non-profit housing providers funded by the Region of Durham, as well as federally funded co-operative non-profit providers. Updated annually or as needed by the Region of Durham.
• Housing assistance – emergency shelters and housing outreach services. Updated as needed.
• Regional trails, parkland and conservation areas – Regional trails are from the Durham Region Trails brochure.

In the 2015 report Building on Health in Priority Neighbourhoods, the Health Department identified seven Priority Neighbourhoods as communities that require focus to build on health and well-being.

The Priority Neighbourhoods are:

1. Downtown Ajax – Ajax
2. Downtown Whitby – Whitby
3. Lakeview – Oshawa
4. Gibb West – Oshawa
5. Downtown Oshawa – Oshawa
6. Central Park – Oshawa
7. Beatrice North – Oshawa.

These Health Neighbourhoods have the lowest income levels based on median after-tax household income in 2015 and 2010. Income is an important determinant of health. These neighbourhoods also rank poorly in terms of low-income rate (overall and for children and seniors), low education levels, and unemployment compared to the other 43 Neighbourhoods in Durham Region. Finally, the Priority Neighbourhoods have many health challenges as shown by their rates and ranking on a variety of indicators. Although the seven Neighbourhoods have some high needs in terms of health, they also have many strengths and community assets on which to build. Identifying these communities is important if we are to spark dialogue and take action. Strengthening and building partnerships and working collaboratively with people in these communities could be the driving force for change.

The Health Department works with many community partners to promote and protect health throughout Durham Region. We provide a variety of programs and services across all 50 Health Neighbourhoods with some services more heavily concentrated in areas with specific health needs, such as the Priority Neighbourhoods. Because of the report on Priority Neighbourhoods, the Health Department is engaging with the people who live and work in these communities to obtain their input on how best to improve health and well-being. As well, we are strengthening and building inter-sectoral partnerships to create innovative solutions that will ultimately benefit not just those living in Priority Neighbourhoods but all Durham Region residents.

The Health Department uses Health Neighbourhoods information to improve programs and services for the residents of Durham Region. For example, smoking cessation programs may be focused in areas with higher smoking rates. Maps on breastfeeding duration can help us to better understand what is needed to support breastfeeding in our communities. Public health nurses work with physicians and midwives to improve birth outcomes for babies and focus in areas where they can make the greatest impact. The information is also valuable to the many community partners that work with the Health Department, including school boards, municipalities, health care providers, health and family service agencies, social planning councils, and other Regional Departments such as Social Services.

Information about Health Neighbourhoods helps us to understand patterns of health in our communities and can be used to:

• Target programs and initiatives to areas of Durham Region that really need them
• Mitigate the impact of low income in our communities
• Inform planning, research, and capacity building to improve health
• Provide rationale and statistics to support funding proposals
• Form a basis for communications to Durham Region residents
• Inspire dialogue about how health varies across Neighbourhoods

Everyone can use the information to work towards creating healthier Neighbourhoods in Durham Region.

Each Health Neighbourhood is a diverse mix of people, housing, and physical characteristics. Health varies greatly within each neighbourhood. We are summarizing a lot of information and analyzing the data at a community level, instead of at an individual level. This is called ecological analysis and can be quite different from health information for individuals. While some people with higher incomes live in Priority Neighbourhoods, the area would have many more people with lower incomes. Similarly, a neighbourhood could be dominated by young families or seniors or certain ethnic groups or young professionals. The dominant groups will have more influence on the health and demographic characteristics of that community. Summarizing and drawing patterns can be helpful for decision-making and targeting programs, but it is important to not paint the whole neighbourhood with the same brush since each neighbourhood is diverse in its own way.