Population Health Assessment report highlights key health strengths and emerging challenges

March 26, 2026
Population Health Assessment and 2025 Key Trends Report receives an update supported by a new interactive dashboard

Newmarket – York Regional Council received an update on the new Population Health Assessment and 2025 Key Trends Report, providing an overview of residents’ current health and well-being, and identifying trends to help inform future public health program and service planning.

“The findings of the work highlight while York Region is among the healthiest communities in Ontario with residents reporting good health, high life expectancy and a strong sense of community belonging, we know not everyone experiences the same level of well-being,” said York Region Chairman and CEO Eric Jolliffe. “This information will help us better target our efforts where they are needed most and help support healthier outcomes for everyone.”

The report provides insight about where inequities persist and where focused action is required, including:

  • Chronic diseases remain the leading cause of death, accounting for four out of the top five causes of death
  • Mental health concerns are rising across all age groups; moderate to serious psychological distress among secondary students increased from 42.9% in 2017 to 55.4% in 2023
  • Health behaviours such as physical activity, nutrition and sleep fall below the recommended guidelines; non-medical use of prescription opioids among secondary students rose from 8.6% in 2019 to 19.1% in 2023
  • Food insecurity has nearly doubled since 2019, now affecting 22.1% of households in 2024
  • Vaccine-preventable diseases have increased dramatically, now four times higher than 2021
  • Extreme heat is an emerging public health concern tied to climate change, with higher rates of heat-related emergency visits among children, seniors and males

Supported by a new interactive dashboard, Understanding the Health of People in York Region, the Population Health Assessment brings together the latest data to drive evidence-informed decision-making. By focusing on both improving overall population health and reducing health inequities, York Region can tailor programs and services, particularly for residents facing greater vulnerabilities due to income, housing instability and barriers to accessing services.

“The health and well-being of residents remain a high priority and a key focus of the work we do,” said City of Vaughan Regional Councillor Gino Rosati, Chair of Community and Health Services. “By bringing together data, expertise and strong community partnerships, we are strengthening our ability to respond to the evolving health needs of our growing and diverse population.”

York Region Public Health will continue providing services to everyone while offering enhanced supports to those with the greatest needs. To address emerging trends, York Region is working with partners across various sectors, including:

For more information or to explore the interactive Population Health Assessment Dashboard, visit york.ca/HealthData

The Regional Municipality of York consists of nine local cities and towns and provides a variety of programs and services to 1.29 million residents and 57,000 businesses with approximately 624,000 employees. More information about York Region’s key service areas is available at york.ca/RegionalServices

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Media Contact:

Tamara Ostrowski, Corporate Communications,
The Regional Municipality of York
Phone: 1-877-464-9675, ext. 71226 Cell: 905-251-6412
Email: [email protected]