A “health lens” on the reality of citizens

QUÉBEC (PasseportSanté.net) November 24, 2008 – Did you know that the erection of a recycling sorting center can have a negative effect on the quality of food for citizens?

This was discovered by elected officials from a Quebec municipality, who took part in a pilot project to assess the repercussions of municipal projects and programs on the health of populations. This pilot project was led by a team including Louise Saint-Pierre, project manager at the Collaborating Center on Healthy Public Policies, linked to the National Institute of Public Health (INSPQ)¹.

According to her, the nature of the services provided by cities and municipalities has a direct effect on the determinants of the health of populations. But decision-makers are not always aware that their decisions can influence the health of citizens.

“I don’t know of any elected representative who wants their decisions to have a negative effect on health, and our approach was precisely to equip them to better assess the scope of the projects they adopt,” says Louise Saint-Pierre.

An indirect, but concrete effect

Thanks to a very comprehensive analysis grid covering multiple factors linked directly or indirectly to the health of the project, municipal officials realized that the establishment of a recycling sorting center could have an indirect effect. unsuspected health of part of the population.

How? ‘Or’ What? “The project could involve an increase in taxes,” explains Louise Saint-Pierre. But we know that if a household spends more than 25% of its income on housing, it risks having to cut other expenses, including groceries, which could be detrimental to its health. “

However, in this environment, nearly 30% of rent-paying households devote more than 25% of their income to housing.

“This information has shed light on an element of reality that elected officials had not yet considered: it is possible that the health of citizens is affected by a tax hike”, underlines Louise Saint-Pierre.

In addition, the tool also makes it possible to measure the positive effects that a project can bring to the health of the population, including job creation.

“A healthy lens”

According to her, the tool adapted by the INSPQ allows conceptual ideas to be updated and pragmatic.

“It is a health lens through which we can look at a public policy proposal and see what the impacts may be on education, employment, on different groups, on accessibility to resources, on pollution, noise, etc. She submits.

Even more, experience has shown that using such an approach can be profitable for municipalities – or for any other group of citizens who wish to use it.

“The important thing is to make elected officials and citizens aware that health goes beyond just health-related behaviors: physical and social environments also count for a lot”, concludes Louise Saint-Pierre.².

Martin LaSalle – PasseportSanté.net

1. For information on the pilot project or to obtain the evaluation grid, Geneviève Lapointe of the INSPQ can be reached at 514-864-1600, extension 3628.
2. For other Canadian approaches to health impact assessment: www.phac-aspc.gc.ca.