Life habits

Alcohol consumption during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic in Québec and Canada

The data contained in this fact sheet have been derived from six probability surveys conducted from March 29, 2020 to April 28, 2021 throughout Canada (including Québec) and one survey carried out exclusively in Québec. The surveys were conducted with people aged 15 and older (3 surveys), 18 and older (3 surveys), and 25 and older (1 survey). The changes in alcohol consumption are based on self-reported data. Only those related to an increase in consumption and its associated characteristics are presented.

The Process of Establishing a Food Cooperative: A Promising Intervention for Improving Physical Access to Food

In this issue

  • Establishing food cooperatives in rural areas with poor geographic access to nutritious foods.
  • The food cooperative as a response to collective needs for improved access to food and local services, as well as community vitality.
  • The steps required to set up a food co op, in short.

And answers to the following question

  • • What are some of the facilitating factors and difficulties encountered in the process of establishing a food cooperative?

Substance-Related Disorders: Mortality Surveillance

The mortality rate in the population with SRDs (substancerelated disorders) decreased significantly over a 15-year period, from 32.4 per 1,000 in 2001-2002 to 21.6 per 1,000 in 2016-2017. A similar, but less pronounced, trend is also observable in the general population with no SRD, with the mortality rate dropping from 9.0 per 1,000 in 2001-2002 to 6.8 per 1,000 in 2016-2017.

Temporal trends in the mortality rate ratios of the population with an SRD versus the general population with no SRD shows that the risk of dying went from 3.6 times higher (in 2001-2002) to 3.2 times higher (in 2016-2017) for a person diagnosed with an SRD compared to a person with no SRD. The gap between the two populations is gradually narrowing over time.

Individuals diagnosed with an SRD are 9.4 times more likely to die by suicide than Individuals never diagnosed with an SRD. This increase in risk is statistically higher for women (18.3 times) than for men (6.5 times).

Perinatal Psychoactive Substance Use Among Indigenous Women: Social Determinants

Because of its impact on the health of families and future generations, psychoactive substance use during the perinatal period is a public health concern for the entire population. Understanding the factors that influence psychoactive substance use among Indigenous women in the perinatal period is essential to targeting prevention and health and wellness promotion strategies for First Nations and Inuit people. This synthesis analyzes the factors that emerge from the scientific literature through the lens of social determinants of health.

  • Strong family ties, social support and connection to community, traditional values and culture emerged as protective factors against psychoactive substance use during the perinatal period for Indigenous women. These factors are associated with the social environment and cultural continuity, which are social determinants of Indigenous health.
  • Difficult living conditions (job insecurity, low education level, and frequent reloc…

The Diet of Adults in Québec and Canada in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic

This synthesis of data aims to inform decision-makers and stakeholders about changes in the diets of adults in Québec and Canada during the pandemic and to guide subsequent work to promote healthy eating in the current context and for years to come. For around half the themes examined, the data was insufficient to draw conclusions. For the other half of the themes identified, while the data represent self-reported perceptions of change and are based on small non-probability and/or non-representative samples, some conclusions could be drawn.
 
The available data suggest that some adults in Québec and Canada changed their food intake and eating habits, while others maintained theirs, during the first year of the pandemic. Certain changes promoted health while others adversely affected it:
  • While 10%–25% of respondents indicated that they were eating more fruits and vegetables, around 10%–20% indicated that they were eating less. The major…

The non-medical cannabis regime in Québec: A public health analysis

  • This document examines, from a public health perspective, the regulatory regime governing the production, distribution, use and possession of cannabis for non-medical purposes in Québec. The analysis describes the main characteristics of this regime and examines the main public health issues it raises. Thus, the analysis identifies elements that could inform the legislative review process planned for 2021.
  • Compared to what has been put in place in other Canadian provinces and in other countries, the Québec regime has some distinctive characteristics:
  • The fully public nature of the distribution and sales system is unusual. The Société québécoise du cannabis, a not-for-profit state-owned enterprise, holds a monopoly on the purchase and sale of cannabis products for non-medical purposes to individuals in Québec. Compared to partially or fully privatized regimes, this monopoly allows for more direct control over cannabis products…

Housing and Social Inequalities in Health in Times of COVID-19: Strategies for Promoting Affordable Quality Housing

The COVID-19 pandemic and the preventive and control measures put in place to protect against the associated health risk have highlighted existing social inequalities in health. The population was asked to spend more time at home to minimize the risk of coming into contact with the virus, which prompted the scientific community to examine the impact of housing conditions during the health crisis. Thus, it was observed that:

  • Housing, including its surrounding environment, is an important determinant of health, wellbeing and quality of life;
  • Living in unhealthy, unsafe or overcrowded housing can have negative effects on physical and mental health, especially during periods of confinement;
  • Safe and healthy housing can act as a protective factor against the transmission of COVID-19;
  • Disadvantaged populations that are less well housed are less well protected from COVID-19 during periods of confinement;
  • During the COVID-19 pandemic, s…
Centre de référence sur l'environnement bâti et la santé

Measures to Reduce Sedentary Behaviour and Encourage Physical Activity in Persons 65 And Older Living at Home During the COVID-19 Pandemic

To prevent deterioration in physical and mental health and cognitive function that could prejudice the autonomy and independence of persons 65 and older, it is important for them to adopt a physically active lifestyle.

To mitigate the impact of public health measures on physical activity, additional strategies are proposed for the public health network, its partners, and municipalities.

  • For the public health network and its partners:
  • Raise awareness of the importance of being active at home and promote regular physical activity to foster wellness and quality of life and help maintain independence (1–7) and good mental health (8) (e.g., targeted campaigns promoting physical activity, promotion of physical activities all year long).
  • Encourage the reduction of extended sedentary behaviours and of their total duration (e.g., active breaks, walking, housekeeping activities).
  • Support the regular…

Measures to Mitigate the Effects of the Pandemic on Food Insecurity

Context

  • What is food insecurity (FI)? Food insecurity is inadequate or uncertain access to healthy food to support a healthy and active life. It is mainly associated with a lack of financial resources.
  • Has the pandemic exacerbated FI? Yes. At the onset of the pandemic in April 2020, a reported 26% of Québec adults were living in households experiencing FI. By the end of May 2020, this rate decreased to 15%. By comparison, this rate was 11% in 2015-16, based on a survey using a different methodology.
  • Who is most affected? Households of four or more people, with children, or with members who have lost their jobs as well as people living alone and young adults have reported higher FI since the start of the pandemic.
  • How does the COVID-19 pandemic influence FI? The prevention measures associatedwith the pandemic, as well as their consequences such as i…

COVID-19: Safe Use of Urban Parks and Green Spaces During Gradual Lockdown Lifting

The purpose of this document is to provide guidelines to support the use of parks and green spaces during the COVID-19 pandemic. It reviews the main health benefits of green spaces and the basic principles to be respected to reduce the risk of spreading the virus in these areas. The document also presents promising initiatives put forward by municipalities in Québec, Canada and elsewhere in the world aimed at promoting the safe and optimal use of parks and green spaces. Finally, some relevant resources that can support the development of parks and green spaces by facilitating consideration of elements that are key to achieving this aim are listed.

Highlights

  • It is essential to make parks and green spaces accessible to the public, especially in the context of a pandemic lockdown, since they represent one of the few safe places where people can engage in a variety of physical and social activities.
  • Parks and green spaces improve many dimensions of ph…