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This From:The National Post, Tuesday, January 05, 1999 http://www.nationalpost.com Alberta Government Privy to Confidential Prenatal Information Alcohol, Cigarette, and Drug Intake Part of Data Collected http://www.nationalpost.com/news.asp?s2=national&f=990105/2155389.html By Marnie Ko National Post ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~     In Brief:                 In Alberta, along with the baby's sex, birth weight, date of birth, and                 other pertinent information needed for issue of a birth                 certificate, the form doctors MUST submit includes questions about                 the consumption of cigarettes, alcohol, and drugs, how many                 stillbirths and miscarriages a woman has had, how many                 prenatal classes she has attended, whether she is breastfeeding                 or formula feeding, and if she is giving her baby up for adoption.                 According to the Vital Statistics Act, the director of the department                 can, at his discretion, give access or copies of the information to                 any of the following: a representative of the government of Alberta,                 Canada, or any other province; a representative of the government                 of the U.S. or any state of the U.S., or of any government of a member                 of the British Commonwealth; representatives of the RCMP, any                 municipal or provincial police force; a representative of a local board                 as defined in the Public Health Act; and an approved hospital, or any                 Workers' Compensation Board in Canada. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Gary Dickson, a member of the legislative committee currently reviewing Alberta's Freedom of Information and Privacy Act, wants a provision removed from the legislation that sees confidential prenatal information sent to the ministry of health. The information, which expectant mothers share with their doctors, includes such facts as how many cigarettes were smoked during pregnancy, how much alcohol was consumed, and whether or not street drugs were used. The information is included on the notice of live birth which physicians fill out every time a baby is born. Along with the baby's sex, birth weight, date of birth, and other pertinent information needed for issue of a birth certificate, the form doctors submit includes questions about the consumption of cigarettes, alcohol, and drugs, how many stillbirths and miscarriages a woman has had, how many prenatal classes she has attended, whether she is breastfeeding or formula feeding, and if she is giving her baby up for adoption. But Mr. Dickson, the Liberal MLA and critic on privacy and health issues, holds little hope he will be successful in swaying the committee made up mostly of members from the governing Conservative party. I think it's absolutely unacceptable that government is requiring information from Albertans and then using it in a host of ways which many be prejudicial to that individual. And doing all of this without their consent, said Mr. Dickson. Indeed, even the branch of the civil service that collects the forms is uneasy about how much information it is gathering. Barry Haugrud, spokesman for the Vital Statistics branch, said: It is none of our business to receive this information and we don't need it. But, there's no other way to get it. Mr. Haugrud explained that Vital Statistics is continuing to collect this information because it is very useful for other departments in government. Mr. Haugrud said that many years ago, Vital Statistics used to be part of Alberta Health and that's why the questions are on the form. Although the two departments have been separate since the 1980s, Mr. Haugrud admits the forms are still in use for every birth in Alberta. According to the Vital Statistics Act, the director of the department can, at his discretion, give access or copies of the information to any of the following: a representative of the government of Alberta, Canada, or any other province; a representative of the government of the U.S. or any state of the U.S., or of any government of a member of the British Commonwealth; representatives of the RCMP, any municipal or provincial police force; a representative of a local board as defined in the Public Health Act; and an approved hospital, or any Workers' Compensation Board in Canada. Mr. Haugrud said standard practice is to hold the forms for six to eight months, and then send them on to Alberta Health. Alberta Health collects the information to follow trends and develop demographic analyses. He said his understanding is that this information is inputted to gather data on anomalies, but admits that from there I don't know what happens to the information. Garth Norris, a spokesman for Alberta Health, said he was unable to comment on the matter and did not return phone calls requesting further information. When asked if women give permission for this disclosure of their medical history, Brian Hauk, the representative for obstetricians on the Alberta Medical Association, said he was not sure. I don't think so; actually, I doubt it. Mr. Hauk believes that most women know the information goes to the hospital with their prenatal forms, but he says he doubts women know it goes to the government as well. Jane Baker, the president of CAPSAC, a Calgary consumer organization that provides information on childbirth, midwifery, and maternity care, said the information on smoking and street drugs amount to confidential medical information. This should be in a birth file in the hospital. Not sent to the government. Mr. Haugrud said he hopes Mr. Dickson is successful in his efforts to have the information protected, but admits he is being optimistic. 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