New data from the regional public health authority reveals that the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region continues to report higher rates of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) compared to the rest of Quebec.
While annual case numbers are declining, the region remains disproportionately affected by these chronic respiratory conditions.
- Asthma Trends: New asthma diagnoses are most prevalent among residents aged 1 to 19 and women, though annual incidence has dropped from approximately 2,500 cases in 2001-2002 to 1,715 cases in 2023-2024.
- COPD Prevalence: Over 27,000 residents aged 35 and older live with COPD, representing 12% of that demographic—a figure consistently higher than the provincial average.
- Environmental Factors: Public health officials identify air quality, tobacco use, wood heating, and industrial emissions as primary drivers of regional respiratory morbidity.
The latest portrait of regional health, released this Tuesday by the Direction régionale de santé publique, highlights a persistent gap between Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean and the broader province. Despite a general downward trend in new diagnoses, the region maintains a higher prevalence of both asthma and COPD.
Dr. Jean-François Betala Belinga, a medical specialist in public health, noted in an interview with the program C’est jamais pareil on Radio-Canada that the region’s northern climate necessitates longer periods of indoor confinement, which may exacerbate exposure to indoor irritants.
According to Radio-Canada, historical data suggests that higher rates of tobacco consumption in the region have traditionally influenced these statistics. While the region has seen improvements in environmental management, Dr. Betala Belinga observed that the area started from a higher baseline of respiratory illness than other parts of Quebec.
“But we remain higher than the rest of Quebec,” he stated, attributing the ongoing improvement to better clinical management, patient education, and a reduction in industrial toxicity over the last three decades.
The etiology of these respiratory conditions is multifactorial. Beyond individual lifestyle choices such as smoking, the regional health authority emphasizes that environmental factors are important. These include emissions from vehicles, proximity to industrial sites, and the use of residential wood heating. Radio-Canada reports that the regional public health office had opposed, at the time, an additional extension of the use of prebaked anodes by Rio Tinto.
Dr. Betala Belinga emphasized that the region is currently operating within an “ecosystem” of risk factors. However, the data suggests that systemic interventions—including improved workplace safety and reduced environmental pollutants—are yielding measurable results. The current focus of public health officials is to use these regional profiles to tailor interventions that target specific vulnerable populations, such as the elderly, who are disproportionately affected by COPD.
| Condition | Affected Demographic | Regional Prevalence/Status |
|---|---|---|
| Asthma | Ages 1–19, Females | Decreased from ~2,500 (2001-2002) to 1,715 (2023-2024) cases/year |
| COPD | Ages 35+ | 12% of the population aged 35 and over (approx. 27,000 people) |
COPD occurs when the surface of the lung that allows air and oxygen to be exchanged is affected. Dr. Betala Belinga explained that there is a reduction in the capacity of these air exchanges: the larger that surface is affected, the more difficulty a person has breathing.
Disclaimer: This report is for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions regarding a medical condition.
