Health spending $6,600 per person
New figures released by the Canadian Institute for Health Information show that Canada’s health spending grew by almost four per cent in 2017, to $242 billion. This is a minor increase in the rate of health-spending growth—since 2010, the average annual increase has been 3.2 per cent. Health costs represented 11.5 per cent of Canada’s GDP in 2017, similar to the previous year. Total health spending reached about $6,600 per Canadian—almost $200 more per person than in 2016. This varied across the country, from $6,321 in BC to $7,378 in Newfoundland and Labrador. Hospitals (28.3 per cent), drugs (16.4 per cent) and physician services (15.4 per cent) continued to use the largest share of health dollars in 2017.
Source: CIHI
Why do some bereaved spouses cost more?
The bereaved spouses of individuals who die in hospital have been found to have a 50 per cent increased risk of an emergency department visit and higher health care spending over the following year compared with those whose spouses die outside a hospital, with the difference persisting for up to two years after death. This suggests that the experience of a spouse’s in-hospital death may have a negative impact on health. By better supporting the needs of caregiving families and partners, it may therefore be possible to improve care and lower downstream health care costs.
Source: Mount Sinai
Light in the window
To battle the near-unrelenting darkness in February, Swedish pharmacy Apotek Hjärtat decided to turn its window sign into a free light-therapy machine to help those suffering from SAD (seasonal affective disorder). Fluorescent bulbs are used to mimic the brightness, temperature and colour of sunlight for passers-by. Ironically, in removing all commercial messages from its window, the pharmacy has both grabbed consumers’ attention and communicated its understanding of mental health challenges in a powerful and positive way.
Source: TrendWatching
More women than men experience chronic pain
According to the 2018 Pain Index, a higher frequency of women than men report chronic pain conditions across all body regions.
Retail workers and labourers suffer more pain than office workers, while athletes suffer from significantly fewer chronic pain complaints across the board. Lower back pain is the most
common type of chronic pain, with 63 per cent of female respondents and 55 per cent of male respondents reporting such conditions.
Source: Liebscher & Bracht
Can hearing loss lead to dementia?
A study conducted in France has added to a growing body of research suggesting that hearing loss is a risk factor for dementia. By following people older than 65 years for up to 25 years, the researchers found that those with hearing problems were more likely to develop the disease. These findings hint to the question of hearing-aid use and whether such devices can help to decrease the risk of dementia. It is an area worth exploring further, since it is estimated that one million people will have dementia by 2021.
Source: Alzheimer’s Society
Seniors Surveyed
4 out of 5 Canadian seniors surveyed feel their perceived health is described as “excellent,” “very good” or “good.”
Source: The Commonwealth Fund’s 2017 International Health Policy Survey
Spotlight on…
Canadian Organization for Rare Disorders CORD is Canada’s national network for organizations representing all those with rare disorders. CORD provides a strong common voice to advocate for health policy and a healthcare system that works for those with rare disorders. CORD acts as an umbrella for all rare disorder organizations in Canada so that we can provide a strong common voice to advocate for health policy and a healthcare system that work for those with rare disorders.
CORD represents the orphan disorders community in the development of Canadian Orphan Drug Policy, including the proposed Expensive Drugs for Rare Disorders program within the National Pharmaceutical Strategy. We do not provide any clinical services or counseling.
raredisorders.ca
