Island Health’s Chief Medical Health Officer (CMHO) has released the 2025 Population Health Status Report, offering an in-depth look at the health of people across the region with a focus on children and youth.
Among the positive trends, the report notes a 41 per cent drop in child and youth poverty between 2016 and 2021, childhood immunization rates that now exceed the provincial average, and declining rates of substance use and self-harm among youth.
“This report shows that progress is possible, and already happening,” said Dr. Réka Gustafson, Island Health’s Chief Medical Health Officer and Vice President of Population and Public Health. “From decreasing child poverty rates to improved youth mental health, we’re seeing positive shifts that reflect the strength and resilience of our communities.”
The report also notes declining life expectancy and differences in health outcomes driven by social determinants of health including geography and income. Life expectancy varies by up to eight years depending on where people live within the region, with men disproportionately affected by premature mortality, largely due to unregulated drug poisonings. Residents continue to use more tobacco, cannabis, and alcohol compared to the rest of the province despite an overall decline in use. The region has also seen increased cases of communicable diseases including syphilis and tuberculosis, with housing insecurity being a risk factor.
“Substance use continues to be elevated in the Island Health region, leading to avoidable harms like injury, illness and death,” said Dr. Gustafson. “We must continue investing in upstream prevention, develop a comprehensive system of care, and address the root causes of health inequities. By equipping communities with evidence to shape policy and promoting healthier public attitudes and policies around substance use, we can begin to shift the culture.”
The report also highlights ongoing mental health challenges among youth, including a notable decline in their sense of community connection since 2018. While some indicators are trending in a positive direction, overall youth mental health has yet to rebound to pre-pandemic levels.
Dr. Gustafson says sustained health promotion and prevention activities are key. “To make a real difference, we must intervene early, work collaboratively across sectors, and focus on the social conditions that shape health,” said Dr. Gustafson. “These are not just health system issues—they are community-wide challenges.”
The report is intended to serve as an engagement tool to support dialogue among public health staff, clinicians, local governments, and community organizations across the Island Health region.
In British Columbia, medical health officers have the statutory responsibility to monitor and report on the health of the population, providing advice on public health issues and the implementation of relevant health promotion and protection policies.
Read the full report and the report highlights.
Read other Population and Public Health reports including last year’s CMHO report
Learn more about Dr. Gustafson