Local Public Health officials are stepping up efforts to combat teen pregnancy and at-risk groups in a prenatal strategy.
Statistics presented to the Hastings Prince Edward Board of Health on Wednesday show that this area has nearly double the number of pregnant women with mental health issues compared to overall Ontario.
They show double the percentage for maternal drug use and smoking during pregnancy.
Health Promoter Wia Baker told the board that maternal drug use is 6.6% here compared to 2.3% in all Ontario.
Smoking during pregnancy is 19.8% in this area and 7.1% overall in the province.
The mental health concern figure is 30% in Hastings Prince Edward compared to 18% for Ontario, and 24% of the pregnancies are under-age mothers.
Medical officer of health Dr. Piotr Oglaza.
Oglaza says some people don’t want to attend prenatal sessions or do not go online.
Quinte West Councillor, Michael Kotsovos, a member of the board congratulated staff on the report but said he wouldn’t have been able to do it because he couldn’t “tolerate the stupidity of women drugging and smoking” when pregnant.
Quinte West Councillor Terry Cassidy told the board that lack of food security is a problem, lots of people are struggling. He urged staff to get to key rural areas.
Board Chair Jo-Anne Albert said she was “astounded at the numbers compared to the overall province.”
