EHAQ MCS Statistics

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Environmental Sensitivities

MCS Statistics

Social and Economic Impact in Québec

The following information was extracted from the Statistics Canada datafile for the 2005 Canadian Community Health Survey.

An estimated 171,000 Quebecers have been diagnosed with MCS. Just over half were between the ages of 40 and 64, a quarter were younger than 40, and the remainder were 65 years old or older. 71% were female, and 29% were male.

Quebecers with MCS showed a higher than normal degree of activity limitation.

% of group reporting	Quebecers with MCS	Quebecers in General

Need help – preparing meals	6%	2%
Need help – getting to appointments and running errands	12%	4%
Need help – doing housework	13%	4%
Need help – heavy household chores (spring cleaning, yard work)	26%	10%
Need help – personal care	3%	1%
Need help – moving about inside the house	3%	1%

Quebecers with MCS also experienced socio-economic disadvantage.

% of group reporting	Quebecers with MCS	Quebecers in general

Permanently unable to work (ages 15-74)	5%	2%
Annual personal income less than $15,000 (ages 15+)	34%	30%
Food insecure	6%	5%
Very weak sense of belonging to local community	13%	13%

There are gaps in service to Quebecers with MCS.

% of group reporting	Quebecers with MCS	Quebecers in General

Unmet health care needs over the previous 12 months	24%	12%
Unmet home care needs over the previous 12 months (ages 18+)	6%	2%

The Environmental Health Association of Québec has informed the Government of Québec that urgent help is required for recognition, support services and adequate health care for people suffering from MCS.

The above data, provided by the Government of Canada, proves us to be right.

MCS is a medical condition which has been recognized by the Canadian Human Rights Commission as a disability. This medical condition has a significant impact on the lives of MCS sufferers. Most people suffering from MCS fall through the cracks and do not have any support systems that they can depend on.

About the Canadian Community Health Survey
The Canadian Community Health Survey is a major survey designed by Canadian health authorities to identify and monitor health issues affecting Canadians aged 12 and up. There were 6,500,000 Quebecers in scope for the survey. Over 29,000 Quebecers were interviewed.

The Environmental Heath Association of Quebec is a non-profit, registered charity working to support people suffering from MCS and to educate on ecological solutions for everyday living. To learn more, please visit our website at: www.aseq-ehaq.ca

These tables were compiled with the help of Margaret Parlor, President, National ME/FM Action Network. Ms Parlor recently retired from a 30 year public service career where she worked as a statistician, policy analyst and manager.

For more statistics from the Canadian Community Health Survey, go to http://mefmaction.net/Portals/0/docs//Quest%2080.pdf