Waiting lists, lack of beds, exhausted staff, labor shortages, compulsory overtime: the overhaul of the healthcare system is a national emergency. But it is also an impossible mission if we continue in the same direction, betting on a Ministry of Disease rather than Health.
Indeed, the true definition of health, one that goes beyond the absence of disease and is based on the well-being and quality of life of the population, is often left out of the debate. Curing the disease, not preventing it, is the priority target, as evidenced by Quebec’s meager investments in prevention and health promotion for decades.
However, a healthy population visits the hospital less regularly, needs fewer beds and fewer healthcare resources, which inevitably reduces the wait for services and the pressure on the healthcare system. It also has more workers available for employment to support a prosperous economy: absenteeism and sick leave are often avoided. It provides access to aging well. And finally, it is more resilient in the face of pandemics and the consequences of climate change.
A collective wealth
Many of the diseases that clog our health care system are preventable. This is the case for 7 out of 10 chronic diseases, including 80% of heart disease and approximately 40% of cancers. Imagine the impact this could have if we focused on it more!
To avoid these serious illnesses and the suffering that accompanies them, we must focus on prevention and health promotion. The consolidation of a strong public health infrastructure, in particular through funding at least equivalent to that of the other Canadian provinces, would allow us to support and coordinate these actions effectively for maximum synergy.
We must also affirm loud and clear that health is not just the business of the Ministry of Disease! To this end, since 2016, there has been a government health prevention policy in Quebec that works on important determinants such as housing, food, habits and living environments, mental well-being, etc. Recognized worldwide and supported by science, its targets have the potential to achieve essential health gains by involving different departments and sectors of society, in collaboration with several organizations that intervene with citizens.
Reading this policy, one might think that the solution is already in place to reduce the pressure on the healthcare system. But there is a major “but”. This interdepartmental policy, whose annual funding is approximately 20 million dollars, represents a drop in the bucket within the “health” budget, which exceeds 50 billion dollars per year. To reach its ambitious targets and see its impact on the quality of life of Quebecers, we should multiply its investment by 10, if not more.
Finally, it must be considered that investing in prevention provides major savings, and therefore an excellent return on investment. Numerous studies show that every dollar invested in prevention saves approximately $6 in healthcare costs in the medium term, while improving citizens’ quality of life.
With so many positive impacts in different sectors of our society and an ability to save billions of dollars in care, one wonders why prevention is not already a priority for our governments.
To get out of it and go further, it is time for all political parties to look together beyond the electoral timeline to see the horizon in terms of health. If the overhaul of the health care system seems inevitable, it is also essential to give it a solid foundation by creating a real health and social services network which, thanks to a healthier population and the consolidation of links between ministries, their networks and organizations in the field, will finally be able to breathe.
The health and quality of life of Quebecers are priceless. Illness has one. And the solution is available.
* This letter is supported by a dozen organizations:
Capsana
heart+stroke
Quebec Council on Tobacco and Health (CQTS)
M361
Canadian Cancer Society
Balance
The canteen for all
The Champions for Life Foundation
The Prevention Health Center – Approach 180
The Heart Health Action Network
Network Access Participation
International Francophone Network for Health Promotion (REFIPS), Americas region.