Health Impacts
People living with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) face a significantly higher health burden compared to the general population. Individuals with MCS are 5–6 times more likely to live with four or more chronic conditions, with youth under 19 being particularly affected — they are 15 times more likely to report four or more chronic illnesses.
Data sourced from the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) 2020
Approximately 3.52% of Canadians have been diagnosed with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS). Among those diagnosed, a large majority — about 78% — have at least one other chronic condition, compared to 45% of the general population without MCS. The prevalence of additional chronic conditions is even higher among older adults with MCS: for those over 55, around 86% have at least one other chronic condition, while 71% of people without MCS in the same age group have an additional condition. This highlights the significant health burden faced by people living with MCS, particularly older adults. Data sourced from the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) 2020
Among adults with MCS, 77–76% have at least one additional chronic condition, compared to 45% of the general population without MCS. The prevalence is even higher among older adults: for those over 55, approximately 81–86% have at least one other chronic condition, compared to 70–71% of people without MCS.
Approximately 3.44% of Quebec’s population has been diagnosed with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS). Among those diagnosed, about 76% have at least one other chronic condition, compared to 45% of the general population without MCS. For adults over 55 with MCS, the prevalence of additional chronic conditions rises to around 81%, whereas 70% of people without MCS in the same age group have at least one other chronic condition. This illustrates the higher health burden experienced by people living with MCS, particularly older adults. Data sourced from the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) 2020
MCS impacts overall well-being and access to care. People with MCS are about three times more likely to report unmet healthcare needs and are three times more likely to rate their health as poor. These statistics highlight the substantial physical and healthcare challenges faced by people living with MCS across all age groups.
Overall, these statistics reveal a striking health discrepancy between people with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) and the general population. Individuals with MCS are far more likely to live with multiple chronic conditions, experience unmet healthcare needs, and rate their health as poor, highlighting the need for greater awareness, support, and targeted healthcare resources for this population.