Saskatchewan gets D on Conference Board health report card

Saskatchewan rates a D on a new health study, thanks to high rates for such things as infant mortality and diabetes-related deaths.

The report released Thursday by the Conference Board of Canada compared the provinces and territories not only to each other but also to 16 countries.

Saskatchewan ranks second-to-last among the provinces, 24th overall — just behind Newfoundland (D-) and just ahead of Manitoba (which also got a D). The best-performing province was B.C., which got an A. Canada got a B.

The report notes that Saskatchewan did well in some areas, but its grade was dragged down by Ds on life expectancy, premature mortality and mortality due to diabetes.

Saskatchewan got a C on suicides, but ranked as the worst province on that score.

On the plus side, Saskatchewan received B's on mortality due to cancer, heart disease and stroke, respiratory diseases, nervous system diseases and self-reported mental health.

Saskatchewan got its only A in the category of self-reported health.

The report notes that it's evaluating health outcomes, rather than the health care systems in each region.