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SUMMARY Care must be taken when comparing perinatal mortality data between countries. However, the low rates of countries such as Japan and Sweden, when compared with Canada, cannot solely be explained by dissimilar surveillance methods.
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SUMMARY • Care must be taken when comparing perinatal mortality data between countries. • However, the low rates of countries such as Japan and Sweden, when compared with Canada, cannot solely be explained by dissimilar surveillance methods. • In Japan, a national birthing strategy has resulted in the achievement and dissemination of modern maternal-infant medicine and public health. • In Sweden, a national public health policy is aimed at the development of social capital, the reduction of income gaps and relative poverty, and the support of increased employment. RESULTS INTRODUCTION Perinatal, infant, and maternal mortalities are important indicators of the health of a nation. In the past, Canada’s maternal and child health outcomes have been satisfactory, but recent data released by the 33-member Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has generated concern among researchers and policy makers Figure 1. Perinatal , infant, and maternal mortality rates, 1960-2008, in Canada Canada’s perinatal mortality rate decreased from 10.9 deaths per 1,000 births in 1980 to 6.1 in 2006 Canada’s infant mortality rate decreased from 10.94deaths per 1,000 births in 1980 to 5.0 in 2006 Canada’s maternal mortality rate changed from 7.6 deaths per 10,000 births in 1980 to 7.9 in 2006 OBJECTIVE To compared perinatal mortality rates between Canada and other OECD countries. We examined the factors that determine these mortality rates and attempted to identify the inadequacies and improvements needed in the Canadian health care system. Figure 2. Perinatal, infant, and maternal mortality rankings amongst OECD countries, 1960-2008, for Canada, USA, Japan and Sweden. Canada’s perinatal mortality OECD ranking changed from 8th in 1980 to 19th in 2006. Canada’s infant mortality OECD ranking changed from 10th in 1980 to 25th in 2006. Canada’s maternal mortality OECD ranking changed from 5th in 1980 to 20th in 2006. CONCLUSIONS Canada must address its pregnancy-related mortality rates using policies similar to those of more successful OECD countries. Presently, the CPSS is developing standardized surveillance methods; the SOGC has proposed a comprehensive national birthing initiative that identifies problems unique to Canadians. Perinatal Mortality Infant Mortality Maternal Mortality METHODS A computerized search was carried out using OVID, Medline, and Highwire databases. Secondary analysis of existing data obtained from Statistics Canada and the OECD Health database was performed.1,2 1Statistics Canada. www.statcan.gc.ca 2OECD Health Data OECD Health Statistics 2010 (database). Canada´s perinatal mortality rate is losing ground to other OECD countries. JE Mijovic-Kondejewski, S Tanaka, and DM Olson, AIHS Preterm Birth and Healthy Outcomes Team (PreHOT), Departments of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Pediatrics and Physiology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada