Aboriginal babies more likely to die: study

Access to urban health care doesn't lower mortality rates

Last Updated: Thursday, June 17, 2010

The Canadian Press

An extensive study of infant mortality in Manitoba has shown that the death rate for aboriginal babies is more than twice the Canadian average and doesn't improve no matter how close their mothers live to sophisticated health-care facilities.

Although infant mortality among non-aboriginals declined with proximity to cities, the rate remained stubbornly high for First Nations women, says a new report published in the Journal of Rural Health.

"First Nations infants do not seem to have similarly benefited from the better health-care facilities in urban centres," the report says.

Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2010/06/17/man-infant-mortality-cp-manitoba.html#ixzz0rDbm9mHh