Life habits

Universal Accessibility: Designing Environments for All

Universal accessibility is defined as "the character of a product, process, service, informational element or environment that, with equity and inclusiveness in mind, enables any person to perform activities independently and achieve equivalent results”.

Reference framework

Actions to optimize the use and design of outdoor recreational facilities

This issue of OPUS focuses on outdoor recreational facilities, specifically facilities that are freely accessible to the public, are not reserved for members of an organization, enable the practice of recreational or sports activities and meet the needs of residents. Recreational areas such as splash parks (with the exception of swimming pools and wading pools), sports fields, walking areas and bicycle paths included in parks and green spaces are just a few examples. This issue is intended…

Reference framework

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.

Knowledge review

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

The adoption of healthy eating—an important determinant of health—is influenced by both individual and environmental (physical, sociocultural, economic, and political) characteristics (Giskes et al., 2011; Raine, 2005; Story et al., 2008; WHO, 2002). Considering the influence of the food environment on diet quality, it is essential to work to ensure that the characteristics of the food environment are conducive to the adoption of a healthy diet.

Synthesis and summary

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…

Monitoring report

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…

Knowledge review

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-…

Knowledge review

Actions to optimize the use and design of outdoor recreational facilities

This issue of OPUS focuses on outdoor recreational facilities, specifically facilities that are freely accessible to the public, are not reserved for members of an organization, enable the practice of recreational or sports activities and meet the needs of residents. Recreational areas such as splash parks (with the exception of swimming pools and wading pools), sports fields, walking areas and bicycle paths included in parks and green spaces are just a few examples. This issue is intended…

Reference framework

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.

Research report, study and analysis

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

This document begins with a review of how housing can influence the health and quality of life of its occupants. It then presents the findings on the impact of housing on the health of the Québec population during the COVID-19 period. As a response to this impact, this report proposes strategies for improving housing conditions and reducing social inequalities in health, starting with specific actions that can support households whose housing conditions have become increasingly unstable…

Rapid knowledge synthesis