Synthesis and summary

This paper is part of a series of essays developed for the National Collaborating Centre for Healthy Public Policy by researchers associated with the Centre de recherche en éthique de l'Université de Montréal (Université de Montréal Research Centre in Ethics). Developed by Valérie Beloin, it addresses the use of the precautionary principle in public health. The precautionary principle was most explicitly developed by and through the development of environmental risk management policies, and…

The prevalence of obesity has been growing steadily for a number of years. Obesity is usually associated with two major factors: increased calorie intake and reduced level of physical activity among the population. However, other variables may contribute to weight problems, including a lack of sleep. This issue of Topo will examine recent research results on the relationship between sleep and weight status, and potential links between the environment, sleep, and obesity. Sleep is a lifestyle…

A portrait of the North Karelia Project, the basis for community programs in chronic disease prevention.

The winning aspects of the North Karelia approach

While Canadians have invested heavily in areas such as health care and education for years, the country has fallen behind in terms of providing resources for our children. Approximately 27% of kindergarten-aged children in Canada do not have all the developmental assets they need to thrive both upon entering school and into the future (Kershaw, Irwin, Trafford & Hertzman, 2005; Willms, 2002).

Public health actors are increasingly aware of the impact this situation can have on the…

This summary is the fourth in a series of five short documents based on a literature review published in 2011. In what follows, we first present the mechanisms of action underlying traffic-calming strategies, as these mechanisms help explain and predict the effects of such strategies on active transportation (cycling, walking, etc.). Next, we summarize the results of studies having evaluated two approaches to traffic calming. Lastly, we consider the implications of such results for public…

This summary is the third in a series of five short documents based on a literature review published in 2011. In what follows, we first present the mechanisms of action underlying traffic-calming strategies, as these mechanisms help explain and predict the effects of such strategies on traffic noise. Next, we summarize the results of studies having evaluated two approaches to traffic calming. Lastly, we consider the implications of such results for public health.

This summary is the second in a series of five short documents based on a literature review published in 2011. In what follows, we first present the mechanisms of action underlying traffic-calming strategies, as these mechanisms help to explain and predict the effects of calming interventions on air pollution produced by traffic. Next, we summarize the results of studies having evaluated two approaches to traffic calming. Lastly, we consider the implications of such results for public health…

In the early 1990s the indicator disability-adjusted life years (DALY) was developed in response to a need for data used in health decision-making on an international scale. Since then, a number of countries have used this indicator to produce territorial estimates.

This indicator is of interest insofar as it considers both mortality and loss of functional health. It also allows for comparison of estimates produced for various health conditions and to rank their impacts on the health…

This summary includes highlights of the population survey results on services utilization by people living in Montérégie, unmet service needs and the assessments of care experiences of respondents who have a regular source of primary care. Moreover, the values obtained in 2010 are compared with those for 2005.

This summary includes highlights of the population survey results on services utilization by the Montréal population, unmet service needs and the assessments of care experiences of respondents who have a regular source of primary care. Moreover, the values obtained in 2010 are compared with those for 2005.