Parc-Extension Among Most Affected by Gaps in Care
Montreal is grappling with a resurgence of two infectious diseases that once seemed under control: tuberculosis and syphilis. According to recent data released by the city’s public health office, both have seen significant increases over the past year—raising alarms in communities like Parc-Extension, where access to health services is often uneven.
In 2024, tuberculosis cases soared to 203, nearly doubling the city’s ten-year annual average of 123. The concern isn’t just the numbers, but the profile of those affected: almost half of the reported cases involved individuals without health insurance coverage. These often include recently arrived immigrants, temporary workers, and undocumented persons—groups that are heavily represented in Parc-Extension.
Access to testing, treatment, and follow-up care is essential for managing tuberculosis, which spreads through the air and requires months of strict medication protocols. But the current system offers little support for those outside the public healthcare safety net. The result is a public health risk that extends beyond individuals to the broader population.
Health authorities have pointed out that other provinces—including Ontario and British Columbia—have already implemented coverage solutions for uninsured residents with communicable diseases. Adopting similar programs in Quebec, they argue, would be not only safer but more cost-effective in the long term.
The situation is no less urgent for syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection that is both treatable and preventable. Once nearly eradicated, it is now making a strong comeback, with Montreal reporting a 60% increase in cases over the last decade. Particularly worrying is the rapid rise among women—a jump of over 360%—which signals that the infection is spreading more widely into heterosexual populations.
Of even greater concern is the rise in congenital syphilis, where the infection is passed from mother to child during pregnancy. Canada saw these cases triple between 2018 and 2023, and in Montreal, 25% of these infections resulted in infant death in recent years. Health workers stress the importance of early screening and treatment, but once again, access becomes the key barrier—especially for those without insurance.
In neighborhoods like Parc-Extension, where economic insecurity and housing density are daily realities, these developments aren’t just statistics—they’re warnings. Public health advocates argue that continuing to exclude vulnerable populations from essential care only amplifies the risk for everyone.
They point out that reacting to outbreaks once they’ve spread is not only dangerous but far more expensive than prevention. Expanding health coverage, even selectively, to include uninsured individuals for communicable diseases could offer both health and economic benefits.
This resurgence is a local manifestation of global trends, but it also speaks to choices within reach. The policies Montreal enacts today—particularly in high-risk, high-density boroughs like Parc-Extension—will determine whether these diseases remain isolated flare-ups or become a deeper crisis.
