Thursday, August 20, 2009

Obese Smokers Live in the Country

Toronto Star Map of the Week

The Toronto Star's latest Google Maps mashups look at two health related issues. The Obesity Map uses data from the Canadian Community Health Survey to show obesity in Ontario by health region. The Smoking Map uses data from the same survey to show smoking rates in Ontario health regions.

Both maps seem to suggest that obesity and high levels of smoking in Ontario are more prevalent in northern and rural communities, whilst urban areas appear to have lower smoking rates and levels of obesity.

It would be interesting to know if a similar pattern was evident in other regions of Canada and in other countries. If you want to join the debate about why obesity and smoking is more prevalent in northern and rural Ontario both maps have interesting comment sections.

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