Each delay in the tramway project deprives us of a means recognized by science of preventing many often fatal chronic diseases, of reducing the bill linked to their care and of decongesting the health system.
Posted yesterday at 10:00 a.m.
Indeed, an electrified tram in Quebec would reduce air pollution, mainly from automobile transport. Every year, air pollution is responsible for 300 premature deaths in the city, with health costs estimated at around $2 billion.
Fortunately, not all Quebecers affected by air pollution die of it. However, the damage to health is major: in a country like ours, air pollution is associated with a significant proportion of cardiovascular diseases and respiratory cancers. More so, the impacts are felt on virtually every organ in the human body, including the brain. For example, air pollution has been linked, in children, to cognitive delays and autism, and in adults, to dementia.
Attractive public transport also helps to combat the lack of physical activity. In fact, public transport users are four times more likely to walk the 10,000 steps/day recommended by their doctor than motorists. This effect of public transport is all the more important for health since a lack of physical activity has been linked to higher rates of obesity, cancer, heart disease, hypertension and diabetes.
A shared street near Cartier appears to us to be a great solution for health. It gives quality space to humans and protects existing urban trees. In addition to encouraging active mobility, this attractive space will allow those who visit it to come into contact with other people. This type of development is recognized as effective in combating social isolation, a societal problem recently aggravated by the pandemic. For the sake of fairness between the districts, we even suggest that these developments be replicated in other places on the route.
Protecting urban trees is another vital element for citizens. Their health benefits are multiple and significant.
Urban trees trap health-damaging air pollutants, soothe humans by lowering cortisol (the stress hormone) levels, encourage exercise with their attractive appearance, and are an effective coping strategy. climatic.
According to several medical studies, optimal urban greening can reduce depression, heart disease, diabetes, overweight, cancer and premature mortality. However, these beneficial effects are extremely local. A tree at the height of Cartier protects the residents and users of the sector and cannot be replaced by a tree located elsewhere in town.
When efficient, fast and comfortable public transit attracts people, many naturally abandon their car to get around. This is a well-known phenomenon, called traffic evaporation, which contributes positively to reducing road congestion, a source of air pollution.
It’s time to step on the accelerator for the construction of the tramway! Quebec must equip itself with an attractive public transit option that is rooted in the best solutions supported by scientific literature. Done well, the project could be a source of good health, both physical and psychological, and help reduce the burden of chronic diseases on our health network. Now is the time to welcome a tram with a shared street, as other cities have done. It is the entire population of today and tomorrow who will benefit from it.
* Co-signers: Frederic Tupinier-Martinphysician, Quebec region coordinator, Quebec Association of Physicians for the Environment; Johanne Elsenerveterinarian, president of Santé Urbanité