death rate

• death rate - the number of deaths per 1000 people

  The death rate has fallen since 1900.

  the death rate in 1900 was 228 per 1000 

  the death rate in 2019 was 2.9 per 1000
• reasons for decline

  decline in infectious diseases

  • Tranter 1996 - over 3/4 of the decline in the death rate 1850-1970 due to a fall in the number of deaths from infectious diseases such as influenza, scarlet fever, measles and tuberculosis.
  • By the 1950s, so-called "diseases of affluence" had taken over infectious disease as a cause of death - cancer, heart disease
• reasons for decline

  Improved nutrition

  • McKeown (1972): argues that this accounts for up to half the reduction in death rates and particularly reduced TB
  • Better nutrition meant people were more resistant to infection and more able to fight it off
  • McKeown's view is criticised as some infectious diseases like measles actually rose during the period of improving nutrition
• reasons for decline

  Medical Improvements 

  • After the 1950s, improved medical knowledge and facilities helped reduce death rates. 
  • Immunisation, antibiotics and high standards of midwifery all contributed. 
  • The NHS was set up in 1949
• reasons for decline

  Public health measures and environmental improvements

  • A range of laws have been passed to improve the health of the population.
  • E.g. improvements in housing, improved food safety