Service Above Self: Child and maternal health – Good news, really bad news
Child mortality rates in Alberta have improved significantly since 1830, but Canada lacks a system to track maternal and child health, leading to inadequate understanding of pregnancy outcomes. The absence of a national data collection system hinders the ability to identify causes of maternal deaths and near-misses, making it challenging to implement effective interventions.
Child mortality rates in Alberta have dropped from 333 deaths per 1,000 births in 1830 to five deaths per thousand live births in 2020. However, Canada lacks a system to track maternal and child health. Only seven provinces and territories have systems to capture pregnancy outcomes, but they are incompatible. The World Health Organization and UNICEF estimate Canada's maternal mortality rates are 60% higher than reported. Professionals have advocated for a compatible reporting system, but none has been implemented. A national surveillance program could help gather and share pregnancy health data to protect and save lives.
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