Objectives: This article explores the relationship between sense of community belonging and self-perceived health.
Data source: The data are from the first half of cycle 1.1 of the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS), collected from September 2000 through February 2001.
Analytical techniques: Descriptive information relating socio-demographic variables to sense of community belonging is presented. Multiple logistic regression is used to study the association between sense of community belonging and self-perceived health, while controlling for socio-demographic conditions and other health-related factors.
Main results: Just over half (56%) of Canadians report a strong or somewhat strong sense of belonging to their local community. Community belonging is associated with self-perceived health, even when controlling for socio-economic status, the presence of chronic disease, health behaviours, stress and other factors.