Maternal and child health programs

A national survey of Canadian women’s experiences, perceptions, knowledge and practices before conception and during pregnancy, birth and the early months of parenthood. A project of the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Canadian Perinatal Surveillance System, which monitors and reports on determinants and outcomes of maternal, fetal and infant health in Canada. 

Aims to establish a common vision and approach, as well as to identify the role of the World Health Organization (WHO) Making Pregnancy Safer initiative. Discusses working with women, men, families and communities to improve maternal and newborn health.

Highlights the multifaceted importance of and interdisciplinary support for international family planning. Serve as a call to action for expanded discourse, broad partnerships and consensus building, and increased funding to accelerate progress toward meeting the targets of Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 5 (maternal health), as well as the other MDGs.

From the introduction:

“Over half a million women die each year due to complications during pregnancy and birth. The vast majority of these deaths are preventable. At the Millennium Summit in 2000, States resolved to reduce maternal mortality by three quarters by the year 2015. This commitment is encapsulated in the Millennium Development Goals, which derive from the Millennium Summit commitments, and which have come to play a defining role in international development efforts. Goal 5 is a commitment to improve maternal health: the reduction of maternal mortality is an outcome chosen to assess progress in this regard. This resolve by States to reduce maternal mortality is not new. However, never before has the issue been given such prominence on the international development agenda.”

Discusses the establishment and evaluation of an internet-based resource library targeting the needs of remote area maternity service providers.

Reports on a national roundtable discussion, involving representatives from First Nations, Inuit and Métis organizations and Health Canada, in Inuktitut. Lists recommendations to improve the health of Aboriginal women and girls.

Discuses a sustainable model of maternity for Nunavut communities as a comprehensive, collaborative, community-based continuum of
care that builds on and develops local capacity.

Identifies issues, priorities, best practices, and suggestions for improving maternity care in Inuit communities.

Describes the results of a national roundtable discussion, involving representatives from First Nations, Inuit and Métis organizations and Health Canada. Lists recommendations to improve the health of Aboriginal women and girls.

Presents information about how to reach, engage and meet the needs of sub-populations at higher risk, in the context of preconception, prenatal and child health.