RDC News: June 2014

New data sets at the RDC:
In the upcoming weeks we will be receiving new data sets and surveys at the McMaster Research Data Centre. Please see the information below. Researchers interested in accessing these data sets are encouraged to submit proposals!

Aboriginal Peoples Survey (APS)
Data from the 2012 Aboriginal Peoples Survey was released in November 2013 and is available for interested researchers. The APS provides data on the social and economic conditions of Aboriginal people in Canada; specifically, it deals with issues such as education, employment, income, housing, mobility, language, and health. This is a cross-sectional survey sampling over 50,000 individuals of Aboriginal identity or ancestry (First Nations living off reserve, Metis, and Inuit). The 2012 APS was the fourth cycle of the survey and included detailed information on: number of schools attended, exposure to Aboriginal languages, school climate and support, reading frequency, participation in extra-curricular activities, plans for future schooling, and peer influences. This is unique data not available from any other source, and would be of great use to researchers exploring the needs and issues of Aboriginal Peoples. For further details please go to the information page on the Aboriginal Peoples Survey at the Statistics Canada website.

Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) - mental health
The Canadian Community Health Survey-Mental Health component is a cross-sectional survey that collected information about mental health status, access and utilization of mental health care services and supports, functioning or disability, and factors determining health status. About 25,100 respondents over the age of 15 living in the 10 provinces were surveyed from January to December of 2012. Information was collected about lifetime and 12-month mental health status. This data would be of particular interest to researchers interested in mental health as the survey provides a comprehensive look at not only those affected by mental health disorders but also examines positive mental health and how respondents are functioning regardless of any mental health problems. Included are specific variables on chronic conditions, childhood experiences, family mental health impact, medication use, positive mental health, perceived need for care, smoking, and stress. Also included are variables related to specific conditions: anxiety disorders (e.g. phobia, OCD, panic disorder), mood disorders (e.g. depression, hypomania, mania, bipolar disorder), and alcohol and substance abuse. For further details please go to the information page on the at the Statistics Canada website: http://www23.statcan.gc.ca/imdb/p2SV.pl?Function=getSurvey&SDDS=5015 

Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) - annual component (2013 data)

The Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) has scheduled its annual release of data for June 2014. The CCHS is a cross-sectional survey that collects information on health status, health care utilization, and the determinants of health at a sub-provincial level (health regions or combined health regions). The target population of the CCHS is those 12 years of age or older living in the 10 provinces and 3 territories. Data is collected yearly with a sample size of 65,000 respondents per year. Subjects covered in the CCHS include: diseases and health conditions; lifestyle and social conditions; and the prevention and detection of disease. This data would be of particular interest to researchers interested in health surveillance and population health research. The RDC is accepting proposals for the 2013 survey.

For further details please go to the information page on the Canadian Community Health Survey at the Statistics Canada website: http://www23.statcan.gc.ca/imdb/p2SV.pl?Function=getSurvey&SDDS=3226