Functional Health Declining Across Canada, Hitting Under-35s Hardest: StatCan

Functional health for Canadian adults has declined in all provinces between 2015 and 2024 for those under age 75, with the largest decline noted in the 18-to-34 age group, a new report says. Zamrznuti tonovi/Shutterstock

The share of Canadian adults reporting “very good” or “perfect” health has declined over the past decade, according to a new report, citing a declining emotional health and a growing prevalence of pain.

Health-related quality of life has declined in every province between 2015 and 2024 among Canadians under 75, according to Statistics Canada’s new functional health report, a comprehensive evaluation of Canadians’ physical, mental, and cognitive abilities needed for daily activities.