Health Council Profiles: New Brunswick Communities

The New Brunswick Health Council's (NBHC) community profiles are an initiative to provide an overview of the health and well-being of people in each of New Brunswick's 33 communities and 7 health zones. The profiles present demographics, health determinants, and population health outcomes, with the aim of fostering healthier communities. Each profile is created by analyzing information from over 400 population health indicators, providing insights into the current health of citizens and the factors influencing their well-being. The NBHC has worked to ensure the availability of common health information across New Brunswick, and the community profiles are a tool to help local organizations and citizens understand the specific health landscape of their community.

Community demographics

The New Brunswick Health Council's (NBHC) 'My Community at a Glance' is a set of 33 community profiles that present demographics, health determinants, and population health outcomes. The profiles aim to encourage the development of healthier communities by providing a comprehensive view of the people who live, learn, work, and participate in community life in each area.

The community profiles cover a range of topics, including:

• Population size and growth: This includes information on the number of people living in each community, as well as any changes in population over time.
• Age distribution: The profiles provide insights into the age groups present in each community, including the percentage of youth, adults, and seniors.
• Cultural diversity: Information on the cultural and ethnic makeup of each community is included, highlighting the diversity of New Brunswick's population.
• Socio-economic status: The profiles also consider the economic well-being of the communities, including income levels, employment rates, and poverty statistics.
• Education levels: The community profiles provide an overview of the educational attainment of residents, including literacy rates and the number of residents with post-secondary education.
• Housing: Information on the availability and affordability of housing in each community is included, as well as data on homeownership and rental rates.

The community profiles are designed to be easily accessible and provide a wealth of information for residents, community organizations, and policymakers. By understanding the demographics of each community, stakeholders can make informed decisions to improve the health and well-being of New Brunswickers.

Health determinants

The New Brunswick Health Council's (NBHC) Population Health Profile provides an overview of the health and well-being of people in each of New Brunswick's 33 communities and 7 health zones. The NBHC has created community profiles, called "My Community at a Glance", which present demographics, health determinants, and population health outcomes. The health determinants are factors that influence the health and well-being of the citizens in these communities.

The health determinants are grouped into four categories: Health Services, Health Behaviours, Social and Economic Factors, and Physical Environment. These categories are used to understand the context around the health of the population in New Brunswick and each of the 7 health zones.

Health Services include factors such as access to primary care, surgical wait times, and hospital acute care services. Health Behaviours refer to individual behaviours that impact health, such as screen time and social media use, as well as mental health. Social and Economic Factors include demographic profiles, such as age, gender, and ethnicity, as well as income and education levels. The Physical Environment category includes factors such as air and water quality, access to healthy food options, and community design.

By understanding these health determinants, citizens and decision-makers can develop a shared awareness of the unique challenges and strengths of each community. This knowledge can then be used to foster collaboration and work towards creating healthier communities in New Brunswick.

Population health outcomes

The New Brunswick Health Council's (NBHC) Population Health Profile provides an overview of the health and well-being of people in each of New Brunswick's 33 communities and 7 health zones. The profile includes information on demographics, health determinants, and population health outcomes.

The health outcomes indicators reflect the physical and mental well-being of the people of New Brunswick. They are influenced by a variety of factors, such as the quality of medical care received and access to affordable housing. The NBHC collects, organizes, and analyzes data from various sources to represent the population health of the province.

The Population Health Profiles include information on the following health outcomes:

• Quality of life: This includes physical, mental, emotional, and social functioning. Indicators include mental fitness, pro-social behaviours, oppositional behaviours, weight, perceived mental and physical health, resilience, life satisfaction, and loneliness.
• Length of life: This includes life expectancy, median age at death, and premature death. Indicators include infant death rate, premature death rates, cancer rates, injury rates, suicide rates, heart and stroke rates, and breathing disease rates.

The NBHC's "My Community at a Glance 2017" provides a comprehensive view of the people who live, learn, work, and take part in community life in each of the 33 communities. The profiles include information on demographics, health determinants, and population health outcomes. The goal is to stimulate interest in building healthier communities.

Health indicators

The New Brunswick Health Council's (NBHC) Population Health Profile provides an overview of the health and well-being of people in each of New Brunswick's 33 communities and 7 health zones. The health indicators are designed to help citizens and decision-makers develop a shared understanding of the unique realities of each community and foster collaboration toward a common vision of informed, engaged, and healthier citizens.

Each profile was created by analyzing information from more than 400 population health indicators, available in the Population Health Data Tables. The indicators provide an understanding of the current health of citizens (health outcomes) and the factors influencing their health and well-being (health determinants).

The health indicators cover a range of topics, including access to healthcare services, such as surgical wait times and experiences with hospital acute care. They also cover specific health conditions, such as chronic health conditions, mental health, and screen time and social media use among youth. Other indicators relate to general health and well-being, such as having a strong sense of belonging to one's community.

The NBHC also conducts surveys, such as the Student Wellness Survey, which was completed by 13,000 students in grades 4 and 5 and 45,000 students in grades 6 to 12. This survey provides insights into the health and well-being of students, including their mental health and screen time habits. Additionally, the NBHC offers a Health Service Quality Report Card, which provides an overview of health expenditure in New Brunswick and resource allocation towards health-related needs.

Health services

The New Brunswick Health Council's (NBHC) Population Health Profile provides an overview of the health and well-being of the people in each of New Brunswick's 33 communities and 7 health zones. The 7 health zones are:

• Moncton and South-East Area
• Fundy Shore and Saint John Area
• Fredericton and River Valley Area
• Madawaska and North-West Area
• Restigouche Area
• Bathurst and Acadian Peninsula Area
• Miramichi Area

The profiles are designed to help citizens and decision-makers understand the unique health and well-being realities of each community. Each profile is created by analyzing information from over 400 population health indicators, including health outcomes and health determinants.

The NBHC also provides a range of other health services and resources, including:

• Home Care Surveys
• Student Wellness Surveys
• Virtual Access to Primary Care: an overview of the experiences and opinions of New Brunswickers regarding virtual primary care
• Infographics on various topics, such as non-binary and 2SLGBTQIA+ youth mental health, screen time and social media use among NB youth, and surgical wait times
• Key indicators on the accessibility and experiences of citizens when using healthcare services
• Various surveys, such as the Hospital Acute Care Survey, Primary Health & Primary Care Surveys, and the Student Wellness and Education Survey

Frequently asked questions