A death rate for a defined population that has been standardized to remove the confounding effects of differences in age and other factors as much as possible, so that two or more populations can be compared.

The quality of outdoor air, typically measured near ground level and away from direct sources of pollution.

A cellular, biochemical, or molecular indicator of a particular biological condition or process. These indicators can be measured accurately, and are often characterized as biomarkers of exposure, effect, or susceptibility.

A biochemical, physiological, behavioural, or other alteration in an organism associated with an established or potential health effect caused by exposure to a chemical, physical, or infectious agent (e.g. blood cholinesterase levels following organophosphate pesticide exposures).

A chemical or its metabolite(s) not normally found in an organism that can be measured to determine the level of exposure to the chemical (e.g. lead detected in a  blood sample).

A physiological or biochemical indicator of a natural characteristic that may make an organism more likely to be affected by a chemical, physical, or infectious agent (e.g. genetic factors).

A statistical method used to compare a continuous dependent variable with an independent variable. When the data compared are depicted on a graph as a regression line, the independent variable is plotted on the x-axis and the dependent variable is plotted on the y-axis.

The proportion of cases of a specified condition that are fatal within a specified time. Usually expressed as a percentage.

A cross-sectional survey conducted to collect information related to regional health status, health care utilization, and health determinants. A joint effort of Health Canada, the Public Health Agency of Canada, Statistics Canada, and the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI). The two kinds of surveys undertaken to date focus on the gene [..]

A national survey conducted by Statistics Canada to collect information from Canadians about their general health and lifestyles. Data are obtained by interviewing volunteer respondents at home and by taking direct physical measurements (e.g. blood pressure) and collecting urine and blood samples at mobile clinics.