Each of Ontario's 36 public health units must respond to unique demographic, social conditions and health needs within its community. The health unit profile information describes the local service delivery environment for each public health unit. The table provides context for the indicator data included in the report. Each of the variables in the table demonstrates that the delivery of public health programs and services in Ontario occurs in significantly different, multi-faceted and complex geographic, cultural, social and economic environments.

For each variable, the provincial totals or averages, the minimum value, and the maximum value are shown. The Table is organized to show the public health units according to their peer groups. A peer group is a cluster of public health units, identified by Statistics Canada as having similar social, demographic and economic characteristics. Appendix 1 provides additional information on the definitions of peer groups. Appendix 2 provides information on the variable definitions and data sources.

To view the complete list of demographic variables with data by public health unit please click here: Table 1: Health Unit Profiles [PDF]

Data tables in a downloadable format are available on the PublicHealthOntario.ca portal.