community health facts 2013
West Coast
Local Health Area 70 - Alberni Population Growth
Demographics
The West Coast region, including Tofino, Ucluelet,
Bamfield and Ahousat, is home to approximately
5,500 people.
2034
2031
2028
2025
2022
2019
2016
2013
2010
2007
2004
The over 75 population is expected to
nearly double.
0
2001
o
5,000
1998
The total population is not expected to
change much over the next 20 years.
10,000
1995
o
15,000
1992
8% are aged 75 and over.
20,000
1989
o
Age 75+
25,000
1986
Local Health Area 70 – Alberni which also
includes Port Alberni is home to
approximately 31,500 people.
Age 20-74
30,000
Population
19% identify as Aboriginal.
Age 0-19
35,000
Health and Wellbeing
Compared to the Island Health region as a whole, Local
Health Area 70 – Alberni residents have (based on the
most recent data available):
A higher birth rate and a higher teen birth rate.
Higher rates of preterm births and low birth
weight babies.
A lower life expectancy (78 years).
A higher rate of death due to diabetes, alcoholrelated causes, and motor vehicle accidents.
Similar to the Island Health region, leading chronic
conditions include hypertension,
depression/anxiety, osteoarthritis and asthma.
Prevalence of Chronic Conditions among Local
Health Area 70 - Alberni Residents, 2010/11
Social Determinants of Health
Housing, employment, education and social support
can have a big impact on the health of our
communities and our ability to make healthy lifestyle
choices. Compared to Island Health overall (based on
most recent data available):
Economic Wellbeing - The West Coast area has a
higher unemployment rate and lower median
family income.
30%
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
Alberni
BC
Island Health
Education – The West Coast area has a lower
percentage of 15-24 Year-Olds who graduated
from high school, and a lower percentage of
adults aged 25-64 with post-secondary
education.
Please visit www.viha.ca/mho/stats/lha_profiles to view the full Alberni Local Health Area Profile and to find more information on data sources.
Social Determinants of Health (continued)
Unemployment Statistics
Child Health – Local Health Area 70 has a higher
rate of children hospitalized for respiratory
illness and a higher infant mortality rate.
West Coast
% of population
Crime –Local Health Area 70 has a higher crime
rate, including a motor vehicle theft, serious
crime and serious juvenile crime, but it has a
lower rate of deaths due to illicit drug use.
Health Services
6%
4%
2%
Education Statistics
% of population
80%
Of the 1,100 admissions in 2011/12:
29% were to West Coast General Hospital,
26% were to Nanaimo Regional General Hospital,
25% were to Tofino General Hospital, and
20% were to other hospitals.
For more information on Island Health
Services in your region, please visit:
http://www.viha.ca/locations/
Island Health
Unemployment Rate
Every year, West Coast residents have about 1,100
hospital admissions, and 3,400 unscheduled
emergency department visits.
Of the 3,400 unscheduled emergency visits in
2012/13:
o 75% were to Tofino General Hospital
o 15 % were to West Coast General
Hospital
o 10% were other hospitals.
BC
0%
The West Coast communities are served by Tofino
General Hospital and the Bamfield Health Centre, as
well as West Coast General Hospital. The area has five
assisted living units in Ucluelet, and no residential care
beds. Port Alberni has 192 residential care beds and 36
assisted living beds spread over six sites. Additional
services available in West Coast include mental health
and substance use, rural health services, and public
health (child, youth and family services).
o
o
o
o
Port Alberni
8%
West Coast
Port Alberni
BC
Island Health
60%
40%
20%
0%
15-24 Year Olds who
graduated High School
Adults with Post Secondary
Education (25-64 yrs)
West Coast Resident Cases by Hospital
Victoria
General
Hospital
4%
Other
10%
Royal
Jubilee
Hospital
6%
Tofino
General
Hospital
25%
West Coast
General
Hospital
29%
Nanaimo
Regional
General
Hospital
26%
Please visit www.viha.ca/mho/stats/lha_profiles to view the full Alberni Local Health Area Profile and to find more information on data sources.