News Release

1999-37
February 26, 1999

Federal funding for a healthy start - Prenatal nutrition

Moncton - Health Minister Allan Rock today outlined the importance of Federal Budget funding increases, totalling $75 million over the next three years, for programs to improve the health of pregnant women at risk. Minister Rock started the day with a visit to the Greater Moncton Resource Centre which provides services to pregnant women at risk. He was joined by Premier Camille Theriault, provincial Health Minister Ann Breault and federal Labour Minister Claudette Bradshaw.

"Investing in prenatal health is an investment in the future," the Minister said. "A healthy start provides a strong foundation for lifelong health. We hope prenatal nutrition programs will help the Greater Moncton Resource Centre, and other places like it, to give our children a good healthy start in life."

The Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program (CPNP) aims to improve the health of pregnant women in conditions of risk. The increased funding will: expand existing community-based programs that work to minimize health risks for pregnant women and mothers; counter Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAE); and strengthen the Canadian Perinatal Surveillance System, the information system that collects, analyses, and reports data about the health of pregnant women, mothers and infants.

The CPNP was announced in July 1994. Jointly managed by the federal, provincial, and territorial governments, as well as First Nations and Inuit communities, CPNP projects assist communities to develop or enhance comprehensive programs for at-risk pregnant women in order to improve birth outcomes. The increased funding in support of community programs will expand the reach and number of community-based projects.

Prevention and public education efforts for FAS and FAE will be strengthened to counter what is the leading cause of known preventable birth defects in Canada. FAS is a national health concern for individuals and society, constituting a lifelong disability requiring constant care. The estimated lifetime extra health care, education and social service costs associated with the support of an individual with FAS are $1.4 million.

An enhanced Canadian Perinatal Surveillance System (CPSS) will provide high-quality information to improve the efficiency of clinical care and guide the development of policies and programs for maternal and infant health. This initiative will increase the ability of the CPSS to alert Canadians to new or emerging threats to the health of pregnant women, mothers and infants, and will enable the monitoring of progress in combatting known threats.

Discussions between Health Canada and provincial and territorial governments will start in the near future within existing agreements concerning early childhood developmental programs, and with First Nations and Inuit communities.

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Media Inquiries
Derek Kent
Minister's Office
(613) 957-0200

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