This paper reviews the levels of and the trends in low birthweight (under 2,500 grams) and premature births (less than 37 weeks gestation) in Canada from 1971 to 1989. Low birthweight (LBW) characterized 6.6% of births in 1971 and 4.6% of births in 1989: this represents a decline of 30% in LBW for the period. The decline was evident for mothers in all age groups, and for all birth parities. However, the prevalence of very low birthweights (less than 1,500 g) remained stable during the period, accounting for 0.8% of births in 1971 and 0.7% in 1989. Preterm births (less than 37 weeks of gestation) increased from 47% of all LBW births in 1971 to 60% in 1989. This shift and the small decline in the prevalence of preterm LBW babies has clinical and preventive implications. These and other findings are based on analysis of 6.6 million single live births between 1971 and 1989.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

Teenage pregnancies, Canada, 1975-1989.

There were 19,000 fewer teenage pregnancies in 1989 than the 58,600 in 1975. The teenage pregnancy rate (pregnancies per 1,000 women aged 15-19) declined 17.4% to 44.1 in 1989 from 53.4 in 1975. For 13 of the 15 years under study, both the numbers and rates of teenage pregnancies decreased year after year. Of teenage pregnancies in 1989, 58% resulted in live births, 36% in therapeutic abortions and 6% in other pregnancy terminations including stillbirths. The annual pregnancy rates for younger teenagers (15-17) were about 60% lower than the rates for older teenagers (18-19). In 1989, the teenage pregnancy rates for Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Quebec were lower than the national rate, while rates for Nova Scotia, Ontario and the four western provinces were higher.

Abortion, Therapeutic↗

PubMed1991

Births and birth rates, Canada, 1989.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1991

Therapeutic abortions, Canada and the provinces, 1989.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Abortion, Therapeutic↗

PubMed1990

Canadian suicide mortality rates: first-generation immigrants versus Canadian-born.

This article examines suicide mortality rates and trends in Canada for first-generation immigrants and the Canadian-born population. Data are analyzed by age, sex and country of birth. Since 1950, suicide rates worldwide for both men and women have been increasing. In North America and most of Europe, suicide has been one of the major causes of death for many years. In Canada, suicide rates are also rising. However, this increase is due entirely to a rise in the rate for men; the rate for women has remained relatively stable. Several differences are apparent between the rates for the Canadian-born population and those for first-generation immigrants. For example, three times as many Canadian-born men as women commit suicide. For first-generation immigrants, the ratio is two to one. Suicide mortality rates for the Canadian-born are higher than those for first-generation immigrants in every age group except for the 65 and over groups. Canadian born males have higher ASMR than first generation immigrant males. The rates for women show that first-generation immigrant women have higher suicide mortality rates than their Canadian-born counterparts, and that the highest rate for all women is for immigrants born in Asia.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1990

Canadian cardiovascular disease mortality: first generation immigrants versus Canadian born.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the major cause of death in Canada, as it is in most industrialized countries. Studies have shown that CVD mortality rates vary among ethnic groups. Since about one in six Canadian residents is a first generation immigrant, it is important to consider ethnic background when interpreting Canadian health statistics or planning health services. Overall, lower CVD mortality rates were found for first generation Canadians from Latin America, China and South Asia; higher rates are indicated for those from Scandinavia and Africa. The rates for North America are similar to those found for Eastern and Western Europe. Between two five-year time periods (1969-73 and 1984-88), CVD mortality rates generally were found to decrease, except for immigrants from Africa (age 35+). The rates were consistently higher for males than for females.

Adult↗

PubMed1990