Canadian Health Report Card

According to the report card released by the Conference Board of Canada, British Columbia gets an A+ for being the province with the healthiest Canadian population. Residents have the lowest rate of disease, and the highest level of physical activity, resulting in low obesity rates as well.

Newfoundland has the highest rates of obesity, while Ontario came in second with Quebec, P.E.I. and Alberta not far behind.

B.C. and Ontario has the least amount of daily smokers and heavy drinkers.  We find at the bottom of this list Newfoundland and Labrador, as well as the three territories.

In the categories of life expectancy, infant mortality, cancer deaths and suicides, Canada received a B overall, ranking 8th in a list of 16 countries.

New Brunswick earned a C, while Nova Scotia, Manitoba and Saskatchewan earned a D.

Other Country Rankings:

Switzerland, Sweden - A

Australia, Norway, France, Japan, Netherlands, Canada, Germany - B

Finland, United Kingdom, Austria, Ireland, Belgium - C

Denmark, United States - D

Canada compared favourably to other countries on risk factors that lead to chronic diseases, but the report indicated that the country's obesity rate is cause for concern, especially childhood obesity.