Issue 59 – 25, July 13th, 2025
Why Healthcare Should Be the Top Priority for Prime Ministers' Summer Meeting
As Premiers from across Canada plan their summer get-together, many people believe that healthcare should be their main focus. This is very important because our healthcare system is facing many problems that affect everyone.
Since 2019, Canadian emergency rooms (ERs) have been closed for at least 1.14 million hours. That’s the same as 47,500 days when people couldn’t get quick help when they needed it most. Many ERs are closing unexpectedly or reducing their hours during nights and weekends. This makes it harder for people to get help in emergencies. When ERs are closed, people might have to wait longer or go to a different hospital, which can be dangerous.
Some provinces, like Ontario, are allowing private clinics to perform surgeries like hip and knee replacements. While this might seem good, it can cause problems. Public hospitals don’t have enough staff or money, which makes wait times longer. Private clinics often charge more and do surgeries quickly, but this can make the public system worse. Experts say that this could lead to more delays for people needing other important surgeries, like those for cancer.
Alberta is seeing more cases of measles, a dangerous disease that can be prevented with vaccines. Experts say the province was not prepared to stop the outbreak, and slow responses made things worse. If governments don’t act quickly and properly, health problems like this will keep spreading.
All these problems show that Canada’s healthcare system needs more attention and better planning. Premiers should use their summer meeting to find solutions to keep ERs open, support health care workers, improve public hospitals, and prevent disease outbreaks. When healthcare is strong, everyone can live healthier and safer lives.
Cities for All Ages
The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), of which Canada is a member along with 34 other countries, recently published a significant report titled *Cities for All Ages*. This report examines how local and national governments can address the unique challenges of creating cities that serve people of all generations. It emphasizes strategies such as adapting urban design and land use planning to enhance accessibility, providing age-friendly housing options, and actively engaging both young and older residents in labor markets and consumer activities.
City planning is much more than designing buildings and roads; it’s about fostering communities where everyone can live safely and happily, regardless of age. As the population in Canada and around the world continues to age, the importance of inclusive city planning grows. Many urban areas are currently unprepared to meet the diverse needs of older adults, young families, and youth themselves.
While cities often have younger populations than rural areas, this demographic balance is shifting rapidly. On average, the proportion of older adults in 29 OECD countries is projected to rise from 20.9% to 27.9% by 2040. Meanwhile, many large cities continue to attract young people, fueling ongoing growth and diversity.
Unfortunately, many cities are designed without considering the needs of all age groups—what is known as "age-blind" design. When urban environments ignore the requirements of older residents, children, and young adults, it can lead to "spatial segregation," where different age groups live in separate parts of the city. This separation makes it harder for residents to meet, interact, and build community. For example, older adults often wish to stay active and healthy, but city layouts may not support this goal. They might live far from parks, shops, and healthcare centers, making it difficult to get around and stay engaged.
If cities are not built to accommodate everyone, social isolation can become a serious issue. Older adults with mobility challenges or limited transportation options may stay at home, increasing feelings of loneliness and risking health problems such as depression, heart disease, or cognitive decline. Similarly, young people and students may feel isolated if they struggle to find affordable housing or accessible public spaces to socialize. This social disconnection can negatively impact mental health and limit educational and employment opportunities.
Housing affordability is another pressing concern. Rapidly rising costs mean many families, seniors, and young adults are struggling to find quality, affordable places to live. In urban areas, housing prices are significantly higher than in rural regions, and the availability of social housing is declining. Overcrowded conditions and homelessness are growing issues, often forcing residents to live far from city centers—further complicating access to jobs, schools, and healthcare.
To address these challenges, cities must improve planning for all ages. This includes investing in accessible public transportation, affordable housing, parks, and community centers that are welcoming to everyone. Developing "age-friendly" neighborhoods can help residents remain active, connected, and engaged, reducing healthcare costs and enhancing overall quality of life.
Planning cities for people of all ages will foster stronger, healthier, and more connected communities—benefiting everyone now and in the future.
Read more - Cities for All Ages | OECD
How Our Environment Affects Older People and the Changing World
Over the past 200 years, the world has gone through big changes in how populations grow and age. Thanks to better sanitation, health care, and nutrition, people are living longer than ever before. As a result, many countries are seeing more older people, fewer children, and fewer babies being born. Because people are living longer, the population is getting older. However, this change also comes with challenges, especially related to health and the environment.
A large part of the world's health problems comes from environmental issues—things like polluted air, dirty water, harmful chemicals, and contaminated food. About 25% of all diseases worldwide are linked to unhealthy environments that we can fix. For example, air pollution from cars, factories, and fires can cause serious health problems, especially in older adults. Breathing polluted air can lead to lung diseases, heart problems, and even dementia, which affects the brain.
Older adults are especially vulnerable during weather disasters like storms, floods, wildfires, and heatwaves. As the climate gets warmer, heatwaves are becoming more common and intense. Older people find it harder to regulate their body temperature, so extreme heat can be deadly for them. In fact, studies show that over half of the deaths during heatwaves in some places are among people over age 75.
Climate change is expected to make these extreme weather events worse. Heatwaves could become two to ten times more severe in some regions by 2060, exposing many older adults to dangerous conditions.
Natural disasters like floods, droughts, and wildfires also pose serious threats to older people. Those with health problems and living in poor neighborhoods are especially at risk. Many older adults depend on family or community support, which can be hard to access during emergencies. Disasters can cause injuries, illnesses, and even death, and they often hit women and older adults the hardest.
Scientists say that heatwaves, pollution, and natural disasters will likely become more common as the climate changes. Coastal cities and low-lying areas are especially at risk of flooding and storms. Many older people choose to live in cities for better healthcare and social life, but cities can trap heat, making heatwaves even more dangerous.
Because older people often have health issues and less mobility, they are more vulnerable during extreme weather and environmental hazards. To keep everyone safe, it is important to improve environmental policies and prepare communities for these challenges.
By working together, we can make the world safer and healthier for everyone, no matter how old they are. Watch for activities CURC will be involved with September 20th, 2025, a Day of National Mobilization, Seniors actions on Climate Change!
Read more - Frontiers-2025-Report.pdf