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9 |Thursday May 2 5 , 2 0 1 7 | O A K V ILLE B E A V E R |www.insidehalton.com Pregnancy and fertility rates declining in Halton by Marta Marychuk Oakville Beaver Staff / j f / S T E V E N S O N \V H E L T O N Ma c DONALD&SWAN LLP P E R S O N A L IN J U R Y + M E D IC A L M A L P R A C T IC E Approximately 5 ,6 0 0 babies are born in Halton each year, according to a report called Reproductive Health in Halton presented to the Region' s Health and Social Services Committee in a mem o on May 9. W hile Halton experienced an increase in the number of infants born between 2003 and 2 0 0 9 , since 2 0 0 9 there has been a slight decline in births in Halton. The report goes on to say that Halton' s fertility rate (the number of births per 1,000 females aged 15-49) has also been decreasing. Reproductive Health in Halton provides a snapshot of the health and wellbeing of mothers and infants in Halton Region. The report was written by Matthew Ruf, Acting Commissioner, Health and Dr. Daniela Kempkens, Acting Medical Officer of Health. Pregnancy and fertility rates can provide insight into Halton' s changing demographics, the report says. It is also important to examine pregnancy and fertility rates, as certain age groups, such as older mothers and teens, have a higher risk of health issues for both a mother and her baby. W hen data in the report is compared by municipality, fertility rates in Milton are nearly double those of Halton Hills, Burlington and Oakville, in the past ten years. W hile Milton's total population is m uch smaller than Burlington or Oakville, it has had a similar number of births each year as seen in each of these two municipalities. Teen pregnancy rates (the number of births and therapeutic abortions per 1,000 females aged 15 -1 9 ) in Halton have also been on the decline. In 2 0 1 4 , Halton Region had the second lowest teen pregnancy rate out of all the 3 6 health units in Ontario. On the other end of the age spectrum, the average age of mothers at their infants' birth is on the rise in Halton. In 2 0 1 4 , Halton had the highest average age of mothers at the birth of their infants of all Ontario health units. In general, the report says that Halton compares favourably to Ontario for Experienced Trial Lawyers Serving Oakville, M ilto n a n d B u rlin g to n ^ /"sW L aw y ers.ca 1 5 4 0 C o rn w a ll R o a d see Reproductive on p.10 S u i te 1 0 6 , O a k v ille 12' x 24' Inground Kidney Shape Pool FREE INSTALLATION*!! Above Ground pools 15' Round $2,999 18' Round $3,599 12' X 20' Oval $4,399 Many more sizes available* FREE INSTALLATION*!! 16' Swim Spa $24,999 FREE INSTALLATION*!! Hot Tubs pool Liners** 12'X 2 4 ' Inground $999 INSTALLED Vinyl or Fiberglass Available From $4,995 Other sizes available at similar savings. 14 X 2 8 ' $1199 16 X 3 2 ' $1399 1 8 'X 3 6 ' $1599 504 IROQUOIS SHORE ROAD, UNIT #1, OAKVILLE, ON L6H 3K4 9 0 5 -8 4 5 -7 9 7 9 · 9 0 5 -8 1 5 -5 2 5 2 · w w w .leisureindustries.ca LEISUREINDUSTRIES *Restrictions apply check in-store for details, not applicable on prior sales. Products may not be exactly as shown. **Installation Available