A Strategy and Indicators for Monitoring Social Inequalities in Health in Québec

For two decades, the reduction of social inequalities in health has been on the health policy and guidance agenda in Québec. Moreover, current monitoring activities make it possible to track social determinants of health, population health status and the use of health and social services over time and space (regionally). In spite of these achievements, Québec does not have a plan for the systematic monitoring of social inequalities in health, although the existence of these inequalities is well documented.

The goal of this report is to propose a strategy and indicators for monitoring social inequalities in health. It is the result of a joint effort on the part of regional and national surveillance professionals in Québec, from the Table de concertation nationale en surveillance, the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux and the Institut national de santé publique du Québec.

The report is divided into three parts: the first presents background information and useful concepts, the second reviews points of method, and the third formulates recommendations for a strategy and indicators to be used to monitor social inequalities in health.

To initiate the monitoring of these inequalities, the report proposes 18 indicators covering the health status of the population (10 indicators) and health determinants (8 indicators). These indicators are to be cross-referenced with a deprivation index, primarily, and tracked over approximately two decades on a Québec-wide scale and for each of Québec's administrative health regions. Using the inequality measures proposed, it will be possible to monitor social inequalities in health, in relative and absolute terms, between certain population groups and in the overall Québec and regional populations.

Types of Publication
ISBN (Digital)
978-2-550-72128-4
Santecom Number
Date de publication