• Progress and inequality in health and sickness
• Lifestyles that leave room for improvement
• Physical health and persistent chronic illness
• Young people’s health
• Old people’s health
• Mental health problems
• Urban health problems
• Environmental problems
• Conclusion

Progress and inequality in health and sickness

Montreal has made real progress in terms of life expectancy and mortality rates over recent years.  Between 2003 and 2005, for example, child mortality averaged 4.4 deaths per 1000 live births in Montreal, about half of the rate in the early 1980s.

Between 1999-2003 and 2003-2005, Montrealers’ total life expectancy rose from 79.5 to 80.5 years.  Women’s life expectancy averaged 82.9 years and men’s averaged 77.8.  In 1999-2003, the average Montreal man lived without disability until the age of 65.5 and the average Montreal woman, until 67.3.

Despite this progress, health inequality has persisted on the Island, with residents of richer neighbourhoods living an average of 10.6 years longer than do residents of poorer neighbourhoods.  Residents of richer neighbourhoods also enjoy an average of six more years of good health than do residents of poorer areas.