British Columbia has the healthiest population in Canada, and ranks third when compared to other countries, according to a health report card from the Conference Board of Canada.

The report was released Thursday and compares the health performance of Canada, the provinces, territories, and several "peer countries."

While B.C. is tops when it comes to healthy residents, the report found Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan and Manitoba are at the bottom of the pack, with population health on par with that of the United States.

Gabriela Prada, the director of health innovation, policy and evaluation at the board, attributes B.C.'s ranking to the healthier lifestyles of residents, citing lower shares of smokers and heavy drinkers.

Prada added that B.C. also has the most physically active population and the lowest obesity rate in the country.

Overall, Canada gets a "B" grade on the health report card and ranks eighth among 16 peer countries.

B.C. earns the country's only "A" grade and ranks third, after Switzerland and Sweden.

The report is part of an ongoing research program at The Conference Board of Canada to help leaders identify relative strengths and weaknesses in Canada's socio-economic performance. Six areas were assessed: Economy, Education and Skills, Innovation, Environment, Health, and Society. This is the first time that provincial and territorial rankings are included in the analysis.

After B.C., Ontario has the second healthiest population, finishing seventh overall and receiving a "B" grade.

B.C.'s Health Ministry put out a news release following the report card claiming that the ranking reflects the priority the government places on health care.

"We have achieved this ranking while maintaining among the lowest per capita health care spending. This recognition is not a reason for us to slow down our work or settle for the status quo, but rather an opportunity to build on our successes," Health Minister Terry Lake said.

The report also says while Canada compares favourably against peer countries when it comes to some risk factors that lead to chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes, the country's obesity rate is cause for concern.

The share of overweight or obese Canadians continues to increase, including a "worrying" prevalence of childhood obesity across the country. The report found the highest obesity rates are reported in the Atlantic provinces, where more than a quarter of the adult population is considered obese.

Countries that ranked high include Switzerland, Sweden, Australia, Norway, France, Japan, Netherlands, Canada and Germany, while those receiving a "C" mark include Finland, the United Kingdom, Austria, Ireland and Belgium.

Both Denmark and the United States received failing grades.

ticrawford@vancouversun.com

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