Morbidity and Deaths Attributable to Chronic Conditions

In Ottawa:

• Among adults 18 years of age and older, the most prevalent chronic conditions reported in 2019/20 included arthritis (17%), high blood pressure (16%), anxiety disorders (10%), mood disorders (10%), and asthma (8%) (Table 1).
• Among older adults, aged 65 years and older, arthritis (43%), high blood pressure (41%), heart disease (20%), diabetes (16%), and anxiety disorders (8*%) were the most prevalent chronic conditions reported (Table 1).

Ottawa Public Health. Canadian Community Health Survey 2019/20. Ontario Share File. Statistics Canada.

• Older adults are included in the estimate for all adults
• *Interpret with caution due to high sampling variability
• The Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) is an annual national population health survey conducted by Statistics Canada.
• Respondents were asked only about the conditions listed in Table 1. Respondents were asked to indicate the presence of the condition if it was expected to last or had already lasted six months or more and was diagnosed by a health professional.

• In 2023, the top five leading causes of death in Ottawa were [2]:
• dementia and Alzheimer’s disease (854 deaths);
• ischemic heart disease (791 deaths);
• lung cancer (396 deaths);
• cerebrovascular (353 deaths); and
• falls (279 deaths).
• Ischemic heart disease (IHD) was the most common cause of death for Ottawa males in 2023. [2]
• Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease was the most common cause of death for Ottawa females in 2023. [2]

This adult BMI classification uses self-reported height and weight that have been adjusted using a correction factor to account for underestimates of weight and overestimates of height. [3]

In Ottawa:

• One third (33%) of adults (18+ years) reported that they were overweight and close to one quarter (23%) reported that they were obese in 2015/2016, similar to Ontario-less-Ottawa (Table 2).
• Adult males (41%) were more likely than females (26%) to be overweight. [4]
• Adult females (45%) were more likely than males (30%) to be a healthy weight. [4]
• Adults aged 18 to 44 years were less likely to be overweight or obese (50%) compared to those aged 45 to 64 years (64%) and those aged 65 years and older (61%). [4]

Ottawa Public Health. Canadian Community Health Survey 2015/16. Ontario Share File. Statistics Canada.

• The Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) is an annual national population health survey conducted by Statistics Canada.
• *Interpret with caution – high sampling variability.

• Body Mass Index (BMI) is calculated as body weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared (kg/m2).
• The classification of BMI to a weight status is aligned with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) internationally adopted recommendations for adults aged 18+ years.
• This BMI classification uses self-reported height and weight that have been adjusted using a correction factor to account for underestimates of weight and overestimates of height. [3]
• BMI is a measure of total body mass relative to height and is not able to distinguish between fat mass and fat-free mass, both of which have different relationships with various co-morbid conditions and premature mortality.
• BMI is not applicable for pregnant and lactating (breastfeeding) women.
• BMI may not accurately assess health risks in certain adults, such as those with a high muscle mass and lean build, young adults who have not reached full growth, adults over 65 years, and certain ethnic groups.
• When used with individuals, weight classification is only one component of a more comprehensive health assessment needed to diagnose obesity and clarify health risk.

This youth Body Mass Index (BMI) classification is based on self-reported measures of height and weight.

In Ottawa:

• Two thirds (66%) of youth in Grades 7 to 12 reported a healthy weight, similar to Ontario-less-Ottawa (61%) in 2017. Thirteen percent of Ottawa students were classified as overweight and 9% were classified as obese, which is unchanged from 2013 and similar to Ontario-less-Ottawa (Table 3).
• Students (Grades 7 to 12) with higher perceived socioeconomic status were more likely to report being a healthy weight compared to students with low perceived socioeconomic status (71% vs. 55%). [5]

Ottawa Public Health. Public Health Monitoring of Risk Factors in Ontario – OSDUHS (2017), Centre for Addictions and Mental Health.

• BMI is calculated as body weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared (kg/m2).
• The classification of Body Mass Index (BMI) for children and youth is different than for adults. BMI graphs are used because children are still growing and the amount of body fat changes as they grow.
• For children aged 5 to 19 years, the World Health Organization recommends using BMI charts based on age and sex.
• The Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey (OSDUHS) is conducted by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and administered by the Institute for Social Research, York University. OSDUHS is the longest ongoing biennial school survey in Canada, and the only province-wide survey of this population. It is comprised of a random representative sample of over 1,400 Ottawa students enrolled in any of the four publicly funded school boards in grades 7 through 12.
• The presentation and analysis of OSDUHS data are the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official view of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.

This report is a resource for OPH and health partners to help plan or enhance programs and services, identify strategic priorities, identify gaps, and monitor changes in the health of people living in Ottawa. This report also fulfills the requirement for public health units to assess and report on population health, as stipulated in the Ontario Public Health Standards.

State of Ottawa's Health 2023 Report (PDF) 

The State of Ottawa's Health 2014 report provides an overview of key health conditions and indicators that have a significant impact on the health of Ottawa's population.

State of Ottawa's Health, 2014 - Full report 
State of Ottawa's Health, 2014 - Infographics 

The Morbidity and Mortality in Ottawa 2012 report provides an epidemiological overview of morbidity and mortality in the City of Ottawa, where possible compared to the rest of Ontario. These data help assess causes of morbidity and mortality. Indicators of morbidity and mortality include hospitalization rates, life expectancy and mortality rates.
Morbidity and Mortality in Ottawa 2012 report 

The Cancer in Ottawa 2012 report provides an epidemiological overview of cancer incidence and mortality in Ottawa for frequently occurring cancers of public health importance. The Cancer in Ottawa 2012: Knowledge to Action Report outlines current and future cancer prevention strategies offered by OPH and identifies other cancers not covered under current initiatives that may benefit from new strategies and partnerships with community stakeholders.
Cancer in Ottawa 2012 report 
Cancer in Ottawa 2012: Knowledge to Action Report 

1. Ottawa Public Health. Canadian Community Health Survey 2019/20. Ontario Share File. Statistics Canada.
2. Ottawa Public Health. Ottawa Deaths, Ontario Mortality Data (2010-2023). Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care IntelliHealth Ontario. Extracted: August 2025.
3. Connor Gorber S, Shields M, Tremblay MS, McDowell I. The feasibility of establishing correction factors to adjust self-reported estimates of obesity. Health Rep. 2008;19(3):71-82.
4. Ottawa Public Health. Canadian Community Health Survey 2015/16. Ontario Share File. Statistics Canada.
5. Ottawa Public Health. Public Health Monitoring of Risk Factors in Ontario – Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey (2017), Centre for Addictions and Mental Health.