Regional Patterns of Multimorbidity and Hospitalization in Saskatchewan’s Aging Population

TL;DR

This study explores how multiple chronic conditions affect older adults in Saskatchewan, finding higher rates in certain groups and regions, linked to worse health and more hospital visits.

Contribution

The study provides new insights into regional and sociodemographic patterns of multimorbidity and hospitalization in Saskatchewan’s aging population.

Findings

Multimorbidity was more common in older adults aged 75+, Indigenous people, and those with lower education.

Multimorbidity was associated with higher emergency department visits and hospitalizations.

Northern regions had higher multimorbidity rates despite smaller populations.

Abstract

Background: Multimorbidity (the co-occurrence of two or more chronic conditions) is increasingly common among older adults and contributes to diminished well-being and greater healthcare use. While national data highlight regional variation, few studies have examined how multimorbidity is patterned within provinces like Saskatchewan or how it relates to access and acute care use. Objective: To describe sociodemographic and geographic patterns of multimorbidity among older adults in Saskatchewan and examine its association with healthcare access, unmet needs, and recent emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations. Methods: We conducted a secondary analysis of a population-based telephone survey of 1093 adults aged 65+ across Saskatchewan. Respondents were categorized by chronic disease burden (none, one, or multimorbidity). Descriptive statistics and postal code-level mapping explored health status, access, and utilization. Results: Multimorbidity (10.6%) was more prevalent among older adults aged 75+, Indigenous respondents, and those with lower education. It was associated with poorer self-rated health, greater unmet needs, and higher ED visits (20.7%) and hospitalizations (12.1%) compared to those without chronic conditions. Northern regions had proportionally higher multimorbidity, despite smaller populations. Conclusions: Findings highlight social and spatial disparities in chronic disease burden and underscore the need for equity-focused strategies in Saskatchewan’s rural and northern communities.

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