New Report: Perinatal Health in Ontario 2012-2024

Emerging Trends and Evolving Needs

The report reveals several significant shifts shaping perinatal health in Ontario:

• Births among individuals aged 35+ continue to rise, reflecting demographic changes and evolving family planning trends.
• Mental health concerns in pregnancy have nearly doubled, underscoring the growing need for mental health support during the perinatal period.
• Self‑reported cannabis use in pregnancy has tripled since legalization, highlighting the need for ongoing public health education.
• Care improvements are evident: access to early prenatal care has increased, newborn temperature management at NICU admission has improved, and midwifery care continues to expand across the province.
• Use of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) has grown, reflecting changes in how Ontarians build their families.
• Universal infant RSV prevention at birth has seen rapid uptake, marking a significant advancement in newborn infectious disease prevention.

These patterns reflect shifts not only in population demographics but also in health systems and social supports that influence perinatal care. They prompt important questions about how to best meet the needs of today’s pregnant individuals and families.