Mortality in a child welfare population: implications for policy

Area of Science:

• Child welfare research
• Pediatric mortality studies
• Public health in Canada

Background:

• Child welfare systems aim to protect vulnerable children.
• Understanding mortality risks for children in care is crucial.
• Alberta's child welfare system serves a significant population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the mortality rate in a cohort of children with child welfare status in Alberta.
• To identify causes of death among neglected, abused, and handicapped children in care.
• To examine mortality patterns in relation to the withdrawal of child welfare support.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of a one-year cohort of children with child welfare status in Alberta.
• Categorization of deaths by cause (violent, disease, infirmity).
• Comparison of mortality rates for children in care versus those after leaving care.

Main Results:

• Significantly elevated mortality rates were observed in the child welfare cohort.
• Violent deaths were more common among neglected and abused children.
• Disease or infirmity deaths were more prevalent in handicapped children.
• Mortality rates were elevated around the age of 18, coinciding with support withdrawal.

Conclusions:

• Children in Alberta's child welfare system face elevated mortality risks.
• Specific vulnerabilities (abuse, neglect, handicap) correlate with distinct causes of death.
• The cessation of child welfare support at 18 is associated with increased mortality.