Canadian Community Health Survey & Census

Question

A researcher is planning to analyze variables from CCHS and socio-economic indicators avaliable from Census data at the community level (looking at rural urban differences). As per the documentation on CCHS- PUMF, the public use file has a variable named GEOEDPMF (Grouped -Health Region) is derived from GEOEDHRA (Health Region) futher derived from Dissemination Area and Postal code (all three available in master data file). If the patron is planning to use CCHS PUMF, is there a way to go to DA level or postal code level without going through RDC (master data file) or there is any other way of looking at the community level parameters in CCHS and distinguish rural and urban areas.

Answer

The only ways of which I know that the CCHS PUMF can be linked to census results are

(i) the Census Profiles by health regions (see
http://www.statcan.ca/english/freepub/82-221-XIE/2007001/profiles.htm)
and (ii) use of the peer grouping information on health regions (see
http://www.statcan.ca/english/freepub/82-221-XIE/2007001/regions.htm).
The peer groupings differentiate health regions on some basic characteristics, including urban-rural mix (see
http://www.statcan.ca/english/freepub/82-221-XIE/2007001/hregions/hrtable5.htm).