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Ministry of Health
VITAL STATISTICS INFORMATION BOX
Trends in Child Mortality (Under 19 years of age)
IN BRITISH COLUMBIA

There were a total of 7,219 child deaths (aged 0 to 18 years of age) in B.C. over the fourteen year period 1986-1999. This particular age group, under 19 years of age, is used by the Ministry for Children and Families and other groups dealing with children under the legal age. The age standardized mortality rates for children declined significantly in this period from 8.0 deaths per 10,000 standard population in 1986, to 3.9 in 1999.

Almost seven out of every ten child deaths from 1986 to 1999 were due to natural causes. The age standardized mortality rates for natural causes showed an overall decreasing trend over the fourteen years. External causes of death (accidents, homicides and suicides) exhibited a smaller decline in age standradized mortality rates for children in this age group, compared to natural causes.

Age Standradized Mortality Rates (Under 19 Years of Age)
BRITISH COLUMBIA, 1986-1999

Child Mortality

Child Deaths and Age Standradized Mortality Rates (Under 19 Years of Age)
BRITISH COLUMBIA, 1986-1999

Child Mortality

Notes: Age standardized mortality rates (ASMR) - deaths per 10,000 standard population aged 0-18 years.
Natural causes includes deaths due to unknown causes.

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