This is the opinion of Marie-Ève ​​Morin¹, from the Department of Public Health (DSP) of the Laurentians region, which believes that different types of actions must be taken simultaneously to obtain better results.

In a very practical way, cities can set up public fruit and vegetable markets, secure parks, or even create infrastructures that will promote active travel – such as sidewalks or cycle paths.

“For example, they can create a ‘4-step path,’ submits Ms. Morin. It is an urban route that offers different points of interest – shops, library, benches to rest and others – that encourage people to walk. “

Municipalities can also adopt social and political measures, whether by applying the Tobacco Act in municipal establishments, or by establishing food policies on their premises or during events they organize.

Elected officials can also modify urban plans so as to offer a better combination of residential, commercial and institutional buildings promoting physical activity or a better food offer.

“At the local level, municipalities need to clean up their urban plan,” says town planner Sophie Paquin.². Currently, several municipalities have a combination – or “mix” – which does not encourage the adoption of healthy lifestyles by the population. “

Finally, to promote the health of their citizens, cities can adopt economic measures: pricing policies for families and disadvantaged communities, or safe and free or low-cost infrastructures.

“We’re not talking about bungee or skateboard park, image Marie-Ève ​​Morin, but many simple actions that can be carried out at a reasonable cost. “

A success in the MRC d’Argenteuil

Such action proposals were tested as part of a pilot project presented to elected officials of the regional county municipality (MRC) of Argenteuil.³, where diabetes and cardiovascular disease affect a good proportion of the population.

The objective: to make the nine municipalities of the MRC adhere to the 0-5-30 program³, which is summed up as follows: “zero” smoking, the consumption of at least five fruits and vegetables per day and 30 minutes of daily exercise.

The steps taken by Marie-Ève ​​Morin and various health workers with elected municipal officials have borne fruit. As proof, in May 2007, it was with great fanfare that the MRC d’Argenteuil launched its action plan to encourage its citizens to join the 0-5-30 program.

Among the elements that have contributed to this success, the hiring of a person dedicated to the implementation of the program is undoubtedly the most important, according to Ms. Morin. Obtaining financial assistance from the municipalities concerned, but also from the private sector and charitable associations (such as the Lions Clubs or Kiwanis), also greatly contributed to this success.

“But the real success lies above all in the fact that health has been made as important as the roads in this MRC”, concludes Marie-Ève ​​Morin.

Martin LaSalle – PasseportSanté.net

1. Holder of a master’s degree in health administration, Marie-Ève ​​Morin is a planning, program and research officer at the Direction de santé publique des Laurentides. For more information: www.rrsss15.gouv.qc.ca [consulted on November 23, 2007].

2. An urban planner by training, Sophie Paquin is a research officer, urban environment and health, at the DSP de Montréal. For more information: www.santepub-mtl.qc.ca [consulted on November 23, 2007].

3. To find out more about the MRC d’Argenteuil, located in the Laurentians region: www.argenteuil.qc.ca [consulted on November 23, 2007].

4. For more information on the 0-5-30 challenge: www.0-5-30.com [accessed November 23, 2007].