An individual is more than a disease and is a person first, so is entitled to efficient multidisciplinary and integrated community support systems. This statistic has been substantiated by the World Health Organization. Prevalence refers to the number of cases of a disease occurring at a point in time or over a period of time. Approximately 300,000 people in Canada have the disease, with some evidence of an equal incidence among males and females. Onset of the disease seems to differ by gender, with men developing the disease earlier in life than women.
Schizophrenia occurs worldwide in all cultures and across all socioeconomic classes.
Stating that 1 in 100 people is affected by schizophrenia DOES NOT MEAN that 1 in 100 is diagnosed with it. Because schizophrenia is more difficult to diagnose than diseases that have clear physical and biological diagnostic criteria, the disease s prevalence and costs to society may be underestimated. Individual doctors interpretations of diagnosis criteria for schizophrenia may vary. Overlaps occur in the diagnoses of mental illnesses. Religious opinions on mental illness vary, causing attitude inconsistencies.