Rationale - what it means and why it is an important measure
This indicator tracks the number of deaths that are due to heart disease. Heart disease is the number one killer of both men and women; death rates increase with age. Due to the growing number of people living to advanced ages, heart disease and its prevention will continue to be an important community health issue.
How it is compiled, what data are needed
Number of deaths per 100,000 people in a city that are due to heart disease.
Measurements and units
Deaths per 100,000 population (Number of deaths)
Possible temporal and spatial format
graphs, trend charts
Reference to methodology resources
Region of Hamilton-Wentworth/City of Hamilton, 1999. http://www.vision2020.hamilton-went.on.ca/indicators/98report/heartdisease.html
Objective
To reduce mortality rates caused by heart disease.
Targets, benchmarks, reference values
No target references
References to examples of application
The results from the WHO MONICA Project - the largest community-based study on heart disease ever undertaken - indicate that heart disease rates are related to changes in major coronary risk factors and to the introduction of new medical treatments: http://www.who.int/inf-pr-2000/en/pr2000-10.html
Other comments / background
Heart disease is a major form of cardiovascular disease and is caused by a build-up of fatty deposits in the arteries that supply blood to the heart. Age-standardized mortality rates are used to adjust for differences in the age distribution of our population over time.
Ways to improve this indicator for: Citizens: Do not smoke. Increase levels of physical activity to at least 60 minutes of accumulated activity per day. Start healthy eating habits; for example, consume no more than 30% of calories as fat.
Governments and Businesses: Provide smoke-free public places. Provide low-fat and healthy food alternatives in cafeterias. Open swimming pools and recreation facilities during evening hours and on the weekends (Region of Hamilton-Wentworth/City of Hamilton).
