Fort Erie's Health Story
The population of Fort Erie is 29,925 and its boundaries span an area of 166.35 km2. Fort Erie makes up the southeast corner of Niagara region.
The Niagara River borders Fort Erie on the east and Lake Erie makes up the southern border.
- Profile of Fort Erie
- Priority Populations
- Leading Cause of Death
- Leading Cause of Hospitalization
- Prenatal and Reproductive Summary
Profile of Fort Erie
| Fort Erie | Niagara region | Ontario | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | |||
| Population density per square kilometre | 179.9 | 230.5 | 13.4 |
| Population of 2001 | 28,143 | 410,574 | 11,410,046 |
| Population of 2006 | 29,925 | 427,421 | 12,160,282 |
| Population change | 6.3% | 4.1% | 6.6% |
| Lone female parent | 25.1% | 21.9% | 20.0% |
| Lone male parent | 5.2% | 5.4% | 4.5% |
| Population who immigrated to Canada in last 5 years | 12.7% | 10.4% | 17.1% |
| Aboriginal identity | 3.2% | 1.6% | 2.0% |
| Visible minority status | 5.5% | 6.3% | 22.8% |
| Housing | |||
| Total private dwellings | 14,251 | 179,903 | 4,972,869 |
| Private dwellings occupied by usual residents | 12,219 | 169,425 | 4,554,251 |
| Education | |||
| People ages 25-64 who have not completed high school | 15.1% | 14.0% | 13.6% |
| Knowledge of neither English nor French | 0.3% | 0.6% | 2.2% |
| Land | |||
| Land area (square km) | 166.4 | 1,854.2 | 907,573.8 |
Source: Statistics Canada, Census 2006.
Population density
Fort Erie has a relatively large rural area compared to the rest of Niagara. There are approximately 179.9 people in 1 square kilometre compared to 230.5 in Niagara and 13.4 in Ontario.
Population change
Between 2001 and 2006, the population of Fort Erie grew by 6.3%. This means the population in Fort Erie grew more of the population of Niagara (4.1%), yet less than the population of Ontario (6.6%).
Population who did not graduate from high school
15.1 % of the population of Fort Erie, between the ages of 25 and 64, have not completed their high school education; compared to 14.0% in Niagara and 13.6% in Ontario.
Lone parent families
Fort Erie has a higher percentage of single mothers (25.1%) among the families with children at home, compared to Niagara (21.9%) and Ontario (20%). As for families with single fathers, Fort Erie has a slightly lower percentage (5.2%) than Niagara (5.4%) and a higher percentage than Ontario (4.5%).
Language, immigration and Aboriginals
Almost all of Fort Erie residents are able to speak either English or French. Only a small proportion, less than 1%, cannot. This pattern is also seen in Niagara, but in Ontario, the proportion is slightly higher at 2.2%.
5.5% of people in Fort Erie are of a Visible minority, which is similar to the Visible minority population of Niagara at 6.3%, but is much lower than Ontario (22.8%). In terms of immigration, Fort Erie has a higher percentage of people who immigrated in the last five years (12.7%) than Niagara (10.4), but again, this percentage is much lower than that of Ontario (17.1%).
In Fort Erie there is a higher percentage of Aboriginals (3.2%) compared to Niagara (1.6%) and Ontario (2%) However, only Aboriginals who live off reserve were surveyed by the census.
| Fort Erie | Niagara region | Ontario | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low income before tax | 11.4% | 12.0% | 14.7% |
| Low income after tax | 7.5% | 8.4% | 11.1% |
| Low income families with children or youth less than 18 years old (before tax) | 16.3% | 15.0% | 18.0% |
| Low income families with children or youth less than 18 years old (after tax) | 11.0% | 10.5% | 13.7% |
Source: Statistics Canada, Census 2006.
Population with Low income
Fort Erie has a lower percentage of people considered as living in Low income (before tax) (11.4%) than Niagara (12.0%) and Ontario (14.7%). The same goes for the ‘after tax Low income’ percentages. After taxes, the percentage of people living within the Low income bracket is as follows: 7.5% for Fort Erie, 8.4% for Niagara, and 11.1% for Ontario.
Low income families
16.3% of Fort Erie families who are considered Low income (before tax) have a child/youth under the age of 18 living with them. After tax this decreases to 11.0%, which is slightly higher than in Niagara (10.5%) but lower than Ontario (13.7%).
Priority Populations
To examine geographical patterns of socio-economic indicators (e.g. income, low education), a priority index was developed to explore characteristics of the Niagara region.
A Priority Population is defined as those populations that are at risk and for whom public health interventions (e.g. the Health Bus program) may be reasonably considered to have a substantial impact at the population level.
This map below shows an image of Fort Erie with areas of high versus low priority, based on six indicators included from the 2006 census:
- Median family income
- Proportion of people who have not graduated with a certificate, diploma or degree
- Unemployment rate
- Proportion of single parent families
- Proportion of people living alone
- Proportion of persons who are separated, divorced or widowed.
Leading Causes of Death
| Males (0-64 years) | Females (0-64 years) | |||||||
| Rank | Fort Erie | Niagara region | Fort Erie | Niagara region | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ischaemic heart disease | 15.1% | Ischaemic heart disease | 15.3% | Lung cancer | 11.0% | Lung cancer | 10.9% |
| 2 | Lung cancer | 10.8% | Lung cancer | 8.5% | Cirrhosis and other liver diseases | 6.8% | Breast cancer | 8.3% |
| 3 | Diabetes mellitus | 7.0% | Intentional self harm | 5.3% | Breast cancer | 6.8% | Ischaemic heart disease | 7.4% |
| 4 | Cirrhosis and other liver diseases | 5.4% | Transport accidents | 4.2% | Ischaemic heart disease | 6.8% | Colorectal cancer | 4.9% |
| 5 | Intentional self harm | 4.9% | Colorectal cancer | 4.1% | Diabetes mellitus | 5.9% | Cerebrovascular diseases | 4.0% |
Source: Causes of Death 2000-2004, Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, IntelliHEALTH ONTARIO Data. Last Refreshed March 2009.
In Fort Erie, the leading causes of death among males and females aged 0-64 are similar to those of Niagara region with some notable differences.
Females
For females aged 0-64: lung cancer, breast cancer and Ischaemic heart disease were listed among the leading causes of death for Fort Erie and Niagara. In Fort Erie however, cirrhosis and other liver related diseases and diabetes completed the list for females; while colorectal cancer and Cerebrovascular diseases
, completed the list for females in Niagara.
Males
For males aged 0-64, Fort Erie and Niagara share Ischaemic heart disease, lung cancer and intentional self harm among the leading causes of death. That is where the similarities end. Fort Erie reports diabetes and cirrhosis and other liver related diseases whereas, Niagara lists transportation accidents and colorectal cancer.
| Males (65+ years) | Females (65+ years) | |||||||
| Rank | Fort Erie | Niagara region | Fort Erie | Niagara region | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ischaemic heart disease | 24.7% | Ischaemic heart disease | 26.2% | Ischaemic heart disease | 28.4% | Ischaemic heart disease | 26.4% |
| 2 | Lung cancer | 9.4% | Lung cancer | 7.7% | Lung cancer | 6.8% | Cerebrovascular diseases | 9.1% |
| 3 | Prostate cancer | 6.2% | Cerebrovascular diseases | 6.1% | Cerebrovascular diseases | 6.8% | Dementia and Alzheimer Disease | 5.3% |
| 4 | Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 5.4% | Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 5.4% | Diabetes mellitus | 5.3% | Lung cancer | 5.2% |
| 5 | Cerebrovascular diseases | 5.0% | Diabetes mellitus | 4.7% | Dementia and Alzheimer Disease | 5.3% | Diabetes mellitus | 4.8% |
Source: Causes of Death 2000-2004, Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, IntelliHEALTH ONTARIO Data. Last Refreshed March 2009.
In Fort Erie, the leading causes of death among males and females over the age of 65 are similar to those of Niagara region.
Females
For females over the age of 65 Fort Erie and Niagara share the same leading causes of death.
Males
For males over the age of 65, both Fort Erie and Niagara list Ischaemic heart disease, lung cancer, Cerebrovascular diseases
and chronic lower respiratory disease among the leading causes of death. The only difference between Fort Erie and Niagara is that in Fort Erie, prostate cancer is also reported whereas, in Niagara diabetes is reported.
Leading Causes of Hospitalization
| Males (0-64 years) | Females (0-64 years) | |||||||
| Rank | Fort Erie | Niagara region | Fort Erie | Niagara region | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Liveborn infants according to place of birth | 4.4% | Liveborn infants according to place of birth | 6.2% | Complications of pregnancy (antenatal) | 12.6% | Complications of pregnancy (labour and delivery) | 21.4% |
| 2 | Complications of surgical and medical care | 2.9% | Disorders related to Short gestation and Low birth weight | 3.5% | Liveborn infants according to place of birth | 9.3% | Complications of pregnancy (antenatal) | 14.8% |
| 3 | Diabetes mellitus | 2.7% | Acute myocardial infarction | 3.0% | Complications of surgical and medical care | 3.5% | Liveborn infants according to place of birth | 4.1% |
| 4 | Mood, affective disorders | 2.5% | Complications of surgical and medical care | 2.9% | Mood, affective disorders | 3.4% | Mood, affective disorders | 2.1% |
| 5 | Acute myocardial infarction | 2.3% | Diabetes mellitus | 2.1% | Menstrual, menopausal and other female genital conditions | 2.6% | Disorders related to Short gestation and Low birth weight | 2.0% |
Source: Causes of Hospitalization 2003-2007, Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, IntelliHEALTH ONTARIO Data. Last Refreshed March 2009.
In Fort Erie, the leading causes for hospitalization among males and females aged 0-64 are quite similar to those of Niagara region, but do have some differences
Females
For females aged 0-64 the two differences among Fort Erie and Niagara are Fort Erie reports complications of surgical and medical care and menstrual, menopausal and other female genital conditions as leading causes of hospitalization while in Niagara region, reports disorders related to Short gestation and Low birth weight and complications of pregnancy (labour and delivery).
Males
For Fort Erie and Niagara males aged 0-64, the only difference between the leading causes of hospitalization is that Fort Erie lists mood and affective disorders and Niagara lists disorders related to Short gestation and Low birth weight.
| Males (65+ years) | Females (65+ years) | |||||||
| Rank | Fort Erie | Niagara region | Fort Erie | Niagara region | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Heart failure | 6.3% | Heart failure | 5.3% | Heart failure | 6.9% | Heart failure | 5.7% |
| 2 | Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease | 5.3% | Acute myocardial infarction | 4.9% | Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease | 6.0% | Fracture of femur | 4.8% |
| 3 | Acute myocardial infarction | 3.8% | Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease | 4.7% | Fracture of femur | 4.8% | Chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases | 4.3% |
| 4 | Cerebrovascular diseases | 3.7% | Cerebrovascular diseases | 3.5% | Acute myocardial infarction | 4.0% | Acute myocardial infarction | 4.2% |
| 5 | Complications of surgical and medical care | 3.4% | Pneumonia | 3.1% | Cerebrovascular diseases | 3.7% | Cerebrovascular diseases | 3.9% |
Source: Causes of Hospitalization 2003-2007, Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, IntelliHEALTH ONTARIO Data. Last Refreshed March 2009.
In Fort Erie, the leading causes for hospitalizations among males and females aged 65+ are similar to those of Niagara region with only one difference found between males of Fort Erie and Niagara.
Females
Females over the age of 65 in Fort Erie and Niagara region share the same top 5 leading causes of hospitalization.
Males
For males over the age of 65, the only difference between Niagara region and Fort Erie is that Fort Erie lists complications of surgical and medical care while Niagara reports Pneumonia.
Prenatal and Reproductive Summary
| Fort Erie | Niagara region | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Parkyn (N) | 257 | 3795 | |
| Mothers who attended a Prenatal class at Public Health† | 4.0% | ||
| Mothers under 20 years old | 6.2 % | 5.2% | |
| Mothers who smoked during pregnancy | 19.1% | 13.0% | |
| Preterm birth baby | 6.2% | 7.1% | |
| Low birth weight baby | 2.9% | 4.3% | |
| High-risk Parkyn Score | 22.2% | 19.2% | |
| Feeding Method | Breastmilk only | 73.9% | 72.6% |
| Both breastmilk and formula | 5.1% | 8.9% | |
† Source: Prenatal class Data, Niagara Region, 2008. Source: ISCIS Jan-Dec, 2007. Extracted: March 2009.
Overall, 4.0% of pregnant women in Fort Erie attended Prenatal classes offered by Niagara Region Public Health last year.
The Parkyn Postpartum Screening Tool is an instrument designed to identify families with a new baby who may be at an increased risk of developmental challenges based on health, physical and social drawbacks. Using this tool, 22.2% of newborns in Fort Erie were considered high risk in comparison to 19.2% in Niagara region. In 2007, there were 257 live births to mothers from Fort Erie; representing 6.8% of the total newborns throughout Niagara. Of these births, 6.2% were to mothers under the age of 20.
In Fort Erie, 6.2% of births were preterm and 2.9% were Low birth weight babies; both slightly lower than Niagara region (7.1% and 4.3%, respectively). When mothers were asked about their smoking habits, 19.1% of mothers in Fort Erie reported smoking during pregnancy, which is considerably higher than Niagara region (13.0%).
In Fort Erie, 73.9% of mothers breastfed while in the hospital; a further 5.1% both breastfed and used a bottle. The rate for only breastfeeding was slightly higher than Niagara (72.6%) while the rate for both breastfeeding and formula was lower than Niagara (8.9%).