Residents of Brantford and Brant County have significantly higher rates of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, and other respiratory diseases compared to the rest of Ontario, according to a recent report from the Brant County Health Unit (BCHU).
“The Burden of Chronic Disease in Brant,” published in May, analyzes the impact of long-term illnesses—such as diabetes, hypertension, cancer, and asthma—on the residents of Brantford and Brant County. The report utilizes data from Public Health Ontario, Cancer Care Ontario, and IntelliHealth Ontario, with some statistics dating back to 2014. It employs the 2011 Canadian population to calculate age-standardized rates.
While Brantford and Brant County’s incidence of diabetes and hypertension aligns with provincial averages, and they perform slightly better in asthma cases, the region lags in several respiratory health indicators.
Key findings from the report include:
- Lung Cancer: Brant’s age-standardized rate of lung cancer is nearly 75 per capita, compared to just over 65 for Ontario, based on Cancer Care Ontario data from 2016 to 2018.
- COPD: Brant’s age-standardized rate of COPD is 435 per capita, compared to 339 for Ontario. The report cautions interpreting this data, collected in 2020 by Public Health Ontario, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare accessibility and behaviors.
- Hospitalizations: In 2022, hospitalization rates for most chronic conditions, particularly respiratory diseases and diabetes, were higher in Brant than in Ontario.
Underlying Factors for Poor Respiratory Health
Dr. Dawn Bowdish, executive director of the Firestone Institute of Respiratory Health (FIRH) at McMaster University, described the disparities in lung cancer and COPD rates as “really striking.” She emphasized that healthcare access, particularly to specialists and screenings, is a critical factor. The rural-urban divide exacerbates this issue, as those in rural areas face challenges in accessing preventive care and treatments, often delaying necessary specialist visits.
A report from the health unit, “Chronic Disease Risk Factors Among Brant Residents,” highlights that nearly 19% of Brantford-Brant residents identified as smokers in 2019-20, compared to just over 12% in Ontario. Although this rate has decreased from over 24% in 2017-18, smoking remains a significant risk factor for chronic lung diseases.
Socioeconomic factors also play a role, with chronic lung diseases like COPD and lung cancer being linked to socioeconomic disparities. Dr. Bowdish noted that a higher population of older adults in Brant could contribute to higher rates of interstitial lung disease, COPD, and other age-related breathing disorders.
The Importance of Early Diagnosis
Dr. Bowdish stressed the importance of early diagnosis and appropriate treatment for managing COPD and improving lung cancer survival rates. However, access to primary care and specialists remains a challenge. The “family healthcare crisis” has led to delayed diagnoses, as people struggle to get timely appointments with primary care providers and subsequent referrals to specialists.
Public health units are attempting to increase access to spirometry—a test for measuring lung health and diagnosing COPD—but face challenges in securing the necessary resources and specialists.
Early diagnosis and proper treatment, typically overseen by a family doctor, are crucial in preventing hospitalizations for those living with COPD. Similarly, the survival rate for lung cancer is significantly higher when diagnosed early. Dr. Bowdish recommended that individuals over 50 who smoke or have risk factors such as a family history should undergo regular screenings.
“Do your doctors a favor and get checked out preventively and advocate as much as you can for better healthcare in rural areas because this is a political problem, not a personal problem,” Dr. Bowdish advised.