Quebec unveils health prevention strategy to reduce deaths linked to inequality

A health care worker is shown outside a hospital in Montreal, Thursday, July 14, 2022. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes)

Quebec’s health ministry says it wants to reduce deaths linked to economic inequality by 10 per cent by 2035, in addition to reducing the “burden of preventable diseases” by the same percentage.

Health Minister Christian Dubé made the announcement on Thursday morning as he launched a new health prevention strategy, aiming to reduce stress on the health care sector by taking action upstream.

“We must act at the source. The sustainability of our health care system depends on it,” he said.

Dubé also spoke of a “Ministry 2.0,” emphasizing a “real shift” from curative care to a focus on prevention.

He was accompanied by several ministers, including Social Services Minister Lionel Carmant, Seniors Minister Sonia Bélanger and Sports Minister Isabelle Charest, all explaining how their departments plan to contribute to the strategy.

National Director of Public Health, Dr. Luc Boileau, was also present.

Dubé had announced last November that the prevention project was in the works.

He explained that his department’s role was evolving following the launch of Santé Québec, giving “a greater emphasis to prevention.”

In the spring, the government called on organizations, experts and residents to identify preventive measures to improve the health and well-being of the population.

Officials maintain that this new strategy would “strengthen preventive measures by mobilizing all the sectors concerned, as well as the population.”

The objective is to focus more on prevention to ultimately reduce the burden on health care and social services.

– This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Aug. 21, 2024.

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