Medical Health Officer for the North Island Dr. Charmaine Enns delivers status report on regional health outcomes
The education and economic status of Vancouver Island's north end may be improving, but its health outcomes are not as encouraging.
The bright side, according to the region's Medical Health Officer, Dr. Charmaine Enns, is that much of those outcomes are preventable, or can be modified.
"We're partners with the same goals including the health and well-being of the people in the area," she told Port Hardy councillors at their Sept. 9 meeting.
Enns said the median household income of the North Island -- population 11,642 -- rose from $57,000 in 2016 to $68,500 in 2021. She also noted that 65 per cent of resident has a post-secondary certificate, diploma or degree, which is far better than the provincial average of 57 per cent.
Despite those positives trends, life expectancy in the region is 75 years compared to a B.C. average age of 82 and an Island average of 81. Enns attributed this to many factors. For example, North Islanders suffer 3.9 times more deaths due to motor vehicle accidents than others living on the Island.
She explained how a layered approach to reducing these fatalities has been proven successful in other jurisdictions. Using safer road design, speeds, vehicles, land use planning, along with improved post-crash care, communities have reduced accidents, injuries and fatalities on their highways.
Alcohol use, meanwhile, is also higher on the North Island with a per capita alcohol consumption of 16.8 drinks per week compared to a B.C. average of 9.2 and an Island rate of 12.2 drinks per week.
Daily use of cigarettes is pegged at 7.7 per cent but 14 per cent of female smokers continue to smoke during pregnancy compared to an Island average of 6.8 per cent and a B.C. average of 4.1 per cent.
High school completion rates for the North Island continue to fall with a 68 per cent high school completion rate in 2023, compared to an Island average of 86 per cent and a B.C. average of 92 per cent.
On a more positive trend, hospital admissions linked to opioid use are in decline and are below the Island average.
Dr. Enns explained that many of these statistics, such as lower life expectancy, substance abuse and low graduation rates are driven by preventable factors.
"These trajectories can be reversed," she said. "Supporting early childhood development lays the groundwork for lifelong health and wellbeing, helping prevent negative health outcomes late in life."
Enns made her remarks to Port Hardy council at a recent meeting. Those interested can view the full presentation on Port Hardy council's YouTube channel at youtube.com/watch?v=9Ftk9WQfcCs The presentation begins at the three minute mark.