Why Is Toronto’s Top Doctor Talking About ‘Healing’ the Affordability Crisis?

“One of the key things I’m interested in working on is responding to the affordability crisis,” says Toronto’s top doctor, Dr Michelle Murti. You might wonder how economics and finance became part of medical discourse—wait for her to explain.

And she sums it up in just ten seconds.

“One of the key things we’re seeing is that people are struggling with unstable housing, are unable to afford food, and can’t buy the necessary medications to live healthily in the city.”

This perspective is certainly more reassuring than what we often hear from some politicians and economists.

Dr Murti, the daughter of immigrants, grew up in Etobicoke and North Toronto. She completed degrees in biomedical engineering and medicine at the University of Toronto.

Although she wasn’t always sure she wanted to be a doctor, she eventually recognised the appeal of family medicine. “Being with patients is an enriching and impactful experience when you can really help the person in front of you,” she says. “But there’s always that feeling like, ‘Could we be doing more? How do we address the bigger picture?”

The bigger picture is this: “If my patients can’t afford food, don’t have a safe place to live, or struggle to pay for the medicines I prescribe, those are issues I can’t fix as a physician. I wanted to move into an area where I could look at the larger population and understand the broader factors that influence health and how we can make an impact on those.”

Dr Murti identifies the affordability crisis as one of Toronto’s top health challenges. Her strong commitment stems from her own experiences as a refugee in Canada, where she and her mother faced numerous struggles during her early years, leaving a lasting impression.

This background influences her focus on the affordability crisis as a pathway to addressing both physical and mental health issues. In support of her stance, she notes several points:

– Financial insecurity can lead to stress, which negatively affects both mental and physical health.

– Economic strain is closely linked to anxiety, depression, and overall mental distress.

– Financial difficulties can create tension in relationships and family dynamics, resulting in conflicts and increased stress.

– Worries about the future, such as the challenge of raising a family or securing affordable housing, can add to anxiety and stress.

Dr Murti believes that tackling these issues is essential for maintaining overall well-being. This requires a comprehensive approach that includes financial empowerment, access to mental health support, and a thorough analysis of the root causes of economic stress.