Ontario’s Slow Death Data Process Hinders Public Health Response, Experts Say, Canada

Ontario’s publication of death statistics has come under scrutiny as it has been found to be significantly slower than other Canadian provinces and international counterparts. Public health experts argue that this slow process hampers the ability to identify emerging public health issues promptly. The University of Toronto’s Colin Furness describes Ontario’s approach as an absolutely gigantic mistake.
Compared to other jurisdictions, Ontario falls significantly behind in terms of data timeliness. Furness points out that American mortality data, despite the country’s decentralized nature and larger size, is much more current due to the payment processes of U.S. doctors. Scotland, England, Wales, and some Canadian provinces, such as British Columbia, are also able to provide prompt mortality data breakdowns by cause or region.
Experts like Tara Moriarty and Colin Furness emphasize the importance of working with newer mortality data, even if it may contain some flaws and gaps. They argue that it is far better to have imperfect but timely data rather than more accurate data years after the fact. Furness suggests a transparent approach where data is released quickly, even if occasional revisions are needed.
Public health issues, such as the opioid crisis, rely on up-to-date information about deaths for effective response and prevention measures. However, Ontario’s slow data reporting limits the ability to address these issues promptly. To illustrate the problem, Furness mentions how the province’s chief coroner resorted to using cremation data as a proxy for all deaths during the early phase of the pandemic. While this provided some insights, it was far from an ideal approach.
The delayed reporting of death statistics also makes it challenging to understand excess mortality, as observed during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Prompt reporting is crucial for quantifying the extent of the problem and formulating appropriate responses. Unfortunately, Ontario’s reliance on health care professionals and funeral homes for collecting death information, as well as the lengthy review process, contribute to the slow publication of mortality data.
In response to the criticism, the Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery spokesperson, Joey Wu, stated that Ontario’s process requires accurate death information from various sources, including municipalities. The province’s Vital Statistics Act mandates the publication of an Annual Report that includes all registered vital events, but this only occurs after the end of each calendar year. Preliminary figures are released sooner, but the delay in official statistics still remains a concern for public health experts.
The availability of timely and accurate death data is crucial for understanding and responding to public health issues. Ontario’s sluggish data reporting process may hinder the ability to identify emerging health threats and take appropriate action. Public health experts argue for the prompt release of data, even if some imperfections exist, in order to save lives and prevent serious outcomes. There is a clear need for Ontario to improve its data reporting practices to ensure a more effective public health response.