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Risk factors for substance-related acute toxicity deaths in Canada from 2016 to 2021: Findings from the 2016 Canadian
Gisèle Carrière1, Ellen Stephenson2, Amanda VanSteelandt3
1Health Analysis and Modelling Division, Statistics Canada.
Background:
Canada's drug toxicity crisis has burdened some populations disproportionately. This study identifies populations facing higher (or lower) rates of acute toxicity death (ATD) relative to a comparison group, using integrated Canadian Census Health and Environment Cohort data.
Methods:
This national prospective cohort study linked census long-form questionnaire respondents to Canadian Vital Statistics Deaths to identify ATDs occurring within five years of the 2016 Census (from May 10, 2016, to May 9, 2021). Age-standardized mortality rates (ASMRs) and ratios relative to a reference population group were compiled for Canada overall, by sex, and by select socioeconomic characteristics.
Results:
Approximately 0.05% of Canada's household population experienced an ATD during the follow-up period. The national ASMR of 10.7 per 100,000 person-years varied by population group. The highest ASMRs related to lowest educational attainment, household income quintile, and unemployment. Among employed people, highest ASMRs occurred for workers in trades, transport, equipment operators, and related occupations (19.0 per 100,000 person-years) or in occupations in manufacturing and utilities (15.3 per 100,000 person-years). People who spent between 50% to under 100% of their household total income on housing had the highest ASMR (27.9) compared with people spending less than 15% of their total household income on housing. Lower ASMRs also occurred for racialized people and immigrants.
Interpretation:
This study's results generally align with previous studies, while also identifying new details about which disaggregated population groups experienced higher ATD rates. These findings can support intervention programs and policies tailored for populations facing greater ATD risk and enable future monitoring of progress towards equitable outcomes.
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