Using Statistics Canada LifePaths Microsimulation Model to Project the Health Status of Canadian Elderly

Complex population projections usually use microsimulation models; in Canada, Statistics Canada has developed a global dynamic microsimulation model named LifePaths in the Modgen programming language to be used in policy research. LifePaths provides a platform to build on for our research program, conjointly with Dr Janice Keefe from Mount Saint Vincent University, on projections of the Canadian chronic homecare needs for the elderly up to 2031 and of the human resources required. Beside marital status, family networks and living arrangements, future health status of the elderly is a key variable, but an intricate one. Since health status transitions were previously conditioned only on age and sex, we will use here the current disability module of LifePaths with longitudinal data from Canada’s National Population Health Survey (NPHS). These new health status transitions are considering other significant explicative variables like marital status, education etc. We will then present projections of future Canadian elderly by health status and a comparison with nine European countries for the Future Elderly Living Conditions in Europe (FELICIE) Research Program which has used the same approach. Our previous researches have shown the importance of future disability level for the management of an elderly society. The main output of the present paper would first produce, with new health scenarios, new estimates for Canada of elderly in poor health, for those aged 75 and over. Secondly, it would produce an interesting comparative analysis, useful especially for implementing new policies for the well-being of the Canadian elderly.Microsimulation, Elderly population, Aging, LifePaths, Health, Canada

Using Statistics Canada LifePaths Microsimulation Model to Project the Disability Status of Canadian Elderly

Complex population projections usually use microsimulation models; in Canada, Statistics Canada has developed a global dynamic microsimulation model named LifePaths in the Modgen programming language to be used in policy research. LifePaths provides a platform to build on for our research program, conjointly with Dr Janice Keefe from Mount Saint Vincent University, on projections of the Canadian chronic homecare needs for the elderly up to 2031 and of the human resources required. Beside marital status, family networks and living arrangements, future disability status of the elderly is a key variable, but an intricate one. Since disability status transitions were previously conditioned only on age and sex, we will use here the current disability module of LifePaths with longitudinal data from Canada’s National Population Health Survey (NPHS). These new disability status transitions are considering other significant explicative variables like marital status, education etc. We will then present projections of future Canadian elderly by disability status and a comparison with nine European countries for the Future Elderly Living Conditions in Europe (FELICIE) Research Program which has used the same approach. Our previous researches have shown the importance of future disability level for the management of an elderly society. The main output of the present paper would first produce, with new health scenarios, new estimates for Canada of elderly in poor health, for those aged 75 and over. Secondly, it would produce an interesting comparative analysis, useful especially for implementing new policies for the well-being of the Canadian elderly.Microsimulation, Elderly population, Aging, LifePaths, Health, Disability, Canada

Tabagisme et schizophrénie : impacts sur la maladie et son traitement

La prévalence du tabagisme chez les individus souffrant de schizophrénie est élevée. Ceux-ci sont plus susceptibles d’être de gros fumeurs et de présenter une dépendance à la nicotine. Chez les schizophrènes, la nicotine corrige certaines anomalies neurophysiologiques comme les déficits de filtrage sensoriel. La normalisation de ces paramètres est liée à la stimulation d’un récepteur nicotinique particulier, le récepteur alpha-7. La prise d’antipsychotiques peut à la fois influencer le profil tabagique des personnes souffrant de schizophrénie et être influencée par le tabagisme. En effet, la fumée générée par la combustion du tabac induit le métabolisme de plusieurs antipsychotiques. La nicotine peut également atténuer certains effets indésirables liés à la prise de cette classe de médicaments. Tous ces éléments font foi des liens particuliers qui unissent la schizophrénie et son traitement au tabagisme.The prevalence of tobacco use among individuals suffering from schizophrenia is high. They tend to be heavy smokers and suffer from nicotine dependence. In schizophrenics, nicotine corrects certain neurophysiological anomalies such as sensory gating deficits. Normalization of these parameters is related to the stimulation of a specific nicotinic receptor, alpha-7. Antipsychotic drugs may have an influence on the tobacco use profile of persons suffering from schizophrenia and be influenced by its use. The smoke created by the combustion of tobacco affects the metabolism of several antipsychotic drugs. Nicotine may also attenuate certain undesirable effects related to taking this class of medication. All these elements indicate special links uniting schizophrenia and its treatment with tobacco use.La prevalencia del tabaquismo en individuos que sufren de esquizofrenia es elevada. Estas personas son más susceptibles de ser grandes fumadores y de presentar una dependencia a la nicotina. En los esquizofrénicos, la nicotina corrige ciertas anomalías neurofisiológicas, como los déficits de filtrado sensorial. La normalización de estos parámetros está ligada a la estimulación de un receptor nicotínico particular, el receptor alfa-7. La toma de antipsicóticos puede influir en el perfil tabáquico de las personas que sufren esquizofrenia y ser, al mismo tiempo, influenciada por el tabaquismo. En efecto, el humo generado por la combustión del tabaco induce el metabolismo de numerosos antipsicóticos. La nicotina puede, asimismo, atenuar ciertos efectos indeseables relacionados con la toma de esta clase de medicamentos. Todos estos elementos dan fe de las relaciones particulares que unen la esquizofrenia y su tratamiento con el tabaquismo