Poorer Canadians more likely to be hospitalized for
depression but have similar hospital experiences
What: The Association Between Socio-Economic Status and Inpatient Hospital Service Use for Depression
In 2004–2005, people in Canada’s poorest neighbourhoods were 85% more likely to be
hospitalized for depression than people living in better-off neighbourhoods, according to a new
analysis from the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI). The analysis examines the
relationship between neighbourhood income and general hospital use for depression for persons
aged 15 to 64 in 13 Canadian cities. The analysis examines hospitalization rates, lengths of stay
and readmission rates. Depression is the most common cause of hospitalization for mental illness
in Canada, with a rate of 100 per 100,000 population (2005–2006).
CIHI’s analysis found that, whereas poorer Canadians were more likely to be hospitalized for
depression, there were no differences between income groups in the duration of hospital stays
(average of 16 days). This suggests patients had similar hospital experiences regardless of
their income.
Similarly, CIHI’s analysis found no differences between income groups in the likelihood of
readmission. Just more than 7% of patients admitted to hospital because of depression were
readmitted within 30 days of their initial discharge.
When: February 24, 2009
Where: www.cihi.ca
About CIHI
The Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) collects and analyzes information on health and health care in Canada and makes it publicly available. Canada’s federal, provincial and territorial governments created CIHI as a not-for-profit, independent organization dedicated to forging a common approach to Canadian health information. CIHI’s goal: to provide timely, accurate and comparable information. CIHI’s data and reports inform health policies, support the effective delivery of health services and raise awareness among Canadians of the factors that contribute to good health.
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