Inventory of Federal, Provincial and Territorial Environmental and Occupational Health Data
Sources and Surveillance Activities

Inventory of Data Sources

Student Lung Health Survey (SLHS) 1995-96 (Health Canada)

Contact
Louise McRae
Disease Intervention Division
Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Control
Population and Public Health Branch
Health Canada
Tel: (613) 957-9429
Fax: (613) 954-8286
E-mail: Louise_McRae@hc-sc.gc.ca

Organization Maintaining the Database
Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Control, Health Canada

Purpose of Database
The database was established to store and provide survey data on the severity of asthma among children aged 5 to 19; associated risk factors, and management and treatment practices. Nine health units participated in the survey. The database is associated with the Sentinel Health Unit Surveillance System (SHUSS).

Content
Self-reported survey data on childhood (ages 5-19) asthma prevalence, severity, associated risk factors, and management and treatment practices -- from 9 sentinel health units across Canada. Also, data on indoor air quality, legal drugs, climate and weather hazards.

Data types: epidemiologic; clinical (medical history, treatment, health outcomes); demographic; geographic. Data elements: triggers of asthma symptoms (e.g., dust, mould, pollen, ETS, humidity, cold air, air pollution, chemical fumes); environmental control practices (e.g., washing of linens, carpeting, pet in home, home heating/air conditioning, humidification, air filters, mould in home); medications for asthma; service visits; hospital admissions and discharges; risk factors.

Personal data: person-level data with identifiers; address (city, province, postal code); health unit and school; assigned student ID number (meaningful only to Health Units). Geolocators: postal codes; province.

There are approximately 29,400 records in the database.

Year Database Established
April 1995

Coverage Period
1995 / 1996

Data Updates
Not applicable (one-time survey; no updating)

Data Providers
The data collectors are the nine participating sentinel health units (located in (Prince Edward Island, Halifax, Sherbrooke, Guelph, Kingston, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Edmonton, and Kelowna). The self-reported survey data are then forwarded to the CCDPC.

Data Availability
Direct access to the data is restricted to the CCDPC and to the 9 participating sentinel health units. There are no protocols or guidelines restricting the use or disclosure of the data. Data can be provided to other regional health units and Health Canada personnel.

Reports
No regular reports; however, data were reported in "Childhood Asthma in Sentinel Health Units: Report of the Student Lung Health Survey Results 1995-96". The report's executive summary is available online at:
Findings of the Student Lung Health Survey 1995-1996
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hpb/lcdc/publicat/asthma/index.html

Additional Comments
The database has been approved by a Provincial/Federal Privacy Commissioner. The person who is responsible for privacy, use and disclosure of the data: Louise McRae (see above).

Keywords for searches: SLHS, asthma, triggers; medications; tobacco smoke; asthma symptoms.