The functional health of Canadian adults has declined over the past decade, according to a new Statistics Canada report. Since 2015, the number of Canadians reporting very good to perfect health dropped from about 69 per cent to 56 per cent. Using a measurement that covers eight dimensions of health, the report finds the decline is driven mainly by worsening emotional health and a rising prevalence of pain. 

McGill University experts are available to comment: 

Perry Adler, Faculty Lecturer in the Department of Family Medicine, is an expert in anxiety and mood disorders who can comment on the 17-point drop in emotional well-being, with young adults and men most affected. 

perry.adler [at] mcgill.ca (English, French) 

Kathleen Rice, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Family Medicine and Canada Research Chair in the Medical Anthropology of Primary Care, can discuss why pain among adults is on the rise, with women and older adults most affected. 

kathleen.rice [at] mcgill.ca (English, French) 

Sara Ahmed, Professor, School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, can discuss the importance of early access to rehabilitation care in maintaining quality of life after illness, and the policy changes needed to better integrate rehabilitation into the health system. 

sara.ahmed [at] mcgill.ca (English)