Understanding our Community

 

The ‘Understanding our Community Tool’ provides organizations that are Members of Mississauga Health Ontario Health Team as well as care providers in Mississauga, access to a centralized resource, with data and insights on Mississauga’s demographics and populations by neighborhoods.

These tools can be used by Mississauga Health Members to assist them in health system decision-making and planning, thus improving health outcomes within our region and among Mississauga’s populations.
The launch of this tool represents the first step in Mississauga Health’s multi-year data strategy roadmap and framework.
This tool complements other tools created by our partners, including the Peel Public Health Data Zone Information Tool which displays data specific to the Peel population.

Our Commitment to Data Sovereignty
We commit to respecting Indigenous data sovereignty and ensuring the rights of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities to own, govern, and control their data. This involves incorporating Indigenous data sovereignty principles into all aspects of health data processes and striving to implement Indigenous Primary Health Care Council (IPHCC) frameworks across Ontario health care entities. Recognizing Indigenous data sovereignty as essential to upholding Indigenous rights and improving health outcomes, we affirm the right of Indigenous peoples to manage data derived from their lands and communities.
Our commitment involves not utilizing Indigenous data in this tool until thoughtful review and engagement with Indigenous communities can occur, aligning with the future development of a Mississauga Health Anti-Indigenous Racism Plan.

Who can use this tool?
This tool is intended to serve as a resource for policymakers, decision-makers and others in the Peel region that are interested in learning more about the communities we serve within the Region, Mississauga and Mississauga Health, Mississauga’s Ontario Health Team, and hospitals.

Audiences
The following are the tool’s primary audiences:

Mississauga Health Planning Tables

To support timely insights and can help translate strategic plans into actions across the health team’s population Examples: Deciding where to locate an integrated clinic for people without family doctors, targeted cancer screening events).

Mississauga Health Members

To support advocating for health system planning, strategies, integratedbapproaches to address gaps in care.

While this tool is intended for health system planning, for transparency on the data being used, we have made the information available to the public.

Explore the sociodemographic makeup of Peel Health Data Zones using insights from 2021 Census data. Understand the unique characteristics of our community through this informative tool.

Data representing Peel residents

Analyze insights into Emergency Department visitors at Trillium Health Partners by linking their residential locations with key health factors. Gain a comprehensive understanding of both the patient and their community with this innovative approach.

Emergency Department Insights

Our user manual documents offer clear guidance and tips to enhance your experience, along with step-by-step instructions for effectively utilizing and navigating the tool seamlessly integrated with the ArcGIS system. Within this section, you’ll discover valuable resources such key definitions, a tutorial video and a comprehensive ‘how-to’ document.

User Manual
Key Terms

Tutorial Video

What is this tool for?

This tool is designed to serve as a single, reliable source of data and insights for the OHT, its member organizations, and the broader public. It aims to support informed decision-making and planning within the health system, ultimately enhancing health outcomes for both our region and its attributed populations. The data and outputs provided have been meticulously curated through collaborative co-design sessions and ongoing engagement with Mississauga Health planning tables. By offering a comprehensive view of our community and highlighting key sociodemographic factors, the tool helps users better understand the diverse elements that impact health outcomes.

Why was this created?

With the establishment of OHTs and the increasing variety of information sources, our goal was to create a single, reliable source of truth. This would enable our members to gain a clearer understanding of the sociodemographic characteristics of the populations they serve, as well as the key features of the neighborhoods in which these populations live.

What are Peel Health Data Zones, and why are they being used?

Peel Health Data Zones were developed to address the need for granular geographic data to support the planning of programs and services aimed at improving public health outcomes. Each Data Zone is an aggregation of neighboring census tracts. To ensure consistency in terminology and definitions, members of the Ontario Health Team have adopted Peel Data Zones as the standard framework for referring to neighborhoods.

Why are we not using postal codes or Forward Sortation Areas (FSA)?

The number of people residing in FSA’s varies, whereas the number of people that reside in Peel Health Data Zones averages 36,000. An even distribution of individuals allows for a fairer comparison between groups.

Who is the target audience?

The primary audiences for these tools include community members, researchers, policymakers, health system representatives, leaders, and others. Specifically, we envision that OHT partners, organizations, community members, and the broader public will use these tools for planning, decision-making, and understanding how we are caring for our communities.

Where can I find more information?

Looking for health care resources in Peel?
If you're looking for health care services in Peel, Health 811 is a resource provided by the Government of Ontario that offers valuable information on where to access specific health care services and resources.
Click here to access Health 811 and learn more.

Looking for health care resources in Stats Canada?
For more information on Statistics Canada Census collection click here.

About

The ‘Understanding our Community Tool’ provides organizations that are Members of Mississauga Health Ontario Health Team as well as care providers in Mississauga, access to a centralized resource, with data and insights on Mississauga’s demographics and populations by neighborhoods.

These tools can be used by Mississauga Health Members to assist them in health system decision-making and planning, thus improving health outcomes within our region and among Mississauga’s populations.
The launch of this tool represents the first step in Mississauga Health’s multi-year data strategy roadmap and framework.
This tool complements other tools created by our partners, including the Peel Public Health Data Zone Information Tool which displays data specific to the Peel population.

Our Commitment to Data Sovereignty
We commit to respecting Indigenous data sovereignty and ensuring the rights of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities to own, govern, and control their data. This involves incorporating Indigenous data sovereignty principles into all aspects of health data processes and striving to implement Indigenous Primary Health Care Council (IPHCC) frameworks across Ontario health care entities. Recognizing Indigenous data sovereignty as essential to upholding Indigenous rights and improving health outcomes, we affirm the right of Indigenous peoples to manage data derived from their lands and communities.
Our commitment involves not utilizing Indigenous data in this tool until thoughtful review and engagement with Indigenous communities can occur, aligning with the future development of a Mississauga Health Anti-Indigenous Racism Plan.

Who can use this tool?
This tool is intended to serve as a resource for policymakers, decision-makers and others in the Peel region that are interested in learning more about the communities we serve within the Region, Mississauga and Mississauga Health, Mississauga’s Ontario Health Team, and hospitals.

Audiences
The following are the tool’s primary audiences:

Mississauga Health Planning Tables

To support timely insights and can help translate strategic plans into actions across the health team’s population Examples: Deciding where to locate an integrated clinic for people without family doctors, targeted cancer screening events).

Mississauga Health Members

To support advocating for health system planning, strategies, integratedbapproaches to address gaps in care.

While this tool is intended for health system planning, for transparency on the data being used, we have made the information available to the public.

Community Tool

Explore the sociodemographic makeup of Peel Health Data Zones using insights from 2021 Census data. Understand the unique characteristics of our community through this informative tool.

Data representing Peel residents
Emergency Department Tool

Analyze insights into Emergency Department visitors at Trillium Health Partners by linking their residential locations with key health factors. Gain a comprehensive understanding of both the patient and their community with this innovative approach.

Emergency department insights

Persons with a Mental Health and Addictions visit to the Trillium Health Partners Emergency Department

Older Adults with an Emergency Department visit to Trillium Health Partners

User Manual

Our user manual documents offer clear guidance and tips to enhance your experience, along with step-by-step instructions for effectively utilizing and navigating the tool seamlessly integrated with the ArcGIS system. Within this section, you’ll discover valuable resources such key definitions, a tutorial video and a comprehensive ‘how-to’ document.

User Manual
Key Terms

Tutorial Video

FAQ
What is this tool for?
This tool is designed to serve as a single, reliable source of data and insights for the OHT, its member organizations, and the broader public. It aims to support informed decision-making and planning within the health system, ultimately enhancing health outcomes for both our region and its attributed populations. The data and outputs provided have been meticulously curated through collaborative co-design sessions and ongoing engagement with Mississauga Health planning tables. By offering a comprehensive view of our community and highlighting key sociodemographic factors, the tool helps users better understand the diverse elements that impact health outcomes.
Why was this created?
With the establishment of OHTs and the increasing variety of information sources, our goal was to create a single, reliable source of truth. This would enable our members to gain a clearer understanding of the sociodemographic characteristics of the populations they serve, as well as the key features of the neighborhoods in which these populations live.
What are Peel Health Data Zones, and why are they being used?
Peel Health Data Zones were developed to address the need for granular geographic data to support the planning of programs and services aimed at improving public health outcomes. Each Data Zone is an aggregation of neighboring census tracts. To ensure consistency in terminology and definitions, members of the Ontario Health Team have adopted Peel Data Zones as the standard framework for referring to neighborhoods.
Why are we not using postal codes or Forward Sortation Areas (FSA)?
The number of people residing in FSA’s varies, whereas the number of people that reside in Peel Health Data Zones averages 36,000. An even distribution of individuals allows for a fairer comparison between groups.
Who is the target audience?
The primary audiences for these tools include community members, researchers, policymakers, health system representatives, leaders, and others. Specifically, we envision that OHT partners, organizations, community members, and the broader public will use these tools for planning, decision-making, and understanding how we are caring for our communities.
Where can I find more information?
Resources

Looking for health care resources in Peel?
If you’re looking for health care services in Peel, Health 811 is a resource provided by the Government of Ontario that offers valuable information on where to access specific health care services and resources.
Click here to access Health 811 and learn more.

Looking for health care resources in Stats Canada?
For more information on Statistics Canada Census collection click here.