Death rate

death rate

the number of people who die per thousand of the population per year

whats the overall trend of death rates

on a decline

how do we explain the decline in death rates according to Tranter

number of deaths from infectious disease has fallen due to advancements in healthcare

diseased like smallpox, measles and TB were the biggest killers and most common in infants, children and young adults

what did McKeown argue in relation to death rates and nutrition

improved nutrition accounted for up to half of the reduction in death rates and particularly important in reducing deaths from TB

how does better nutrition improved death rates

better nutrition increased resistance to infection and increased the survival chances of those who did become affected

whats an AO3 point on Mckeown though?

he does not explain why females, who received a smaller share of the family’s food supply, lived longer than males.

he also failed to explain why deaths from some infectious diseases, like measles, actually rose at the time of improving nutrition

why do women have a longer life expectancy

women look after themselves better die to society having greater knowledge from schools and the media, women are more conscious of this as we care more about our appearances due to societal norms

what have medical improvements reduced death rates

improved medical knowledge, techniques and organisations along with the introduction of antibiotics, immunisation, blood transfusion, improved maternity services as well as the introduction of the NHS.

how have medical improvements reduced death rates

medics are more able and have more ways to save peoples lives

according to Harper how has smoking and diet impacted death rates

according to Harper the greatest fall in death rates has not come from medical improvements but simply from the reduction in the number of people smoking.

whats an AO3 point to Harpers theory

obesity has replaced smoking ans the new lifestyle epidemic.

how has obesity affected death rates

although obesity has increased massively, deaths from obesity has been kept low as a result of drug therapies

Harper suggested we may be moving to an American health culture where lifestyles are unhealthy but where a long lifespan is achieved by the use of costly medication

how have public health measures affected death rates

more effective and central local governments with the necessary power to pass and enforce laws led to a range of improvements in public health and the quality of the environment

what are examples of public health measures being improved

• drier, better ventilated, less overcrowded housing

• purer drinking water

• laws which combat the adulteration of food and drink

• pasteurisation of milk

• improved sewage disposal methods

• clear air act also reduced air pollution, such as the smog that led to 4000 deaths in 5 days in 1952

what other social changes have reduced death rates

• reduction in dangerous manual jobs like mining

• smaller families reduced the rate of transmission of infection

• greater public knowledge of the causes of illnesses

• lifestyle changes

• higher income, allowing for healthier lifestyle (link to better nutrition, can buy better food which is organic etc)

recap main reasons why death rate has declined

• improved nutrition

• medical improvements

• smoking and diet

• public health measures

what is life expectancy

refers to how long on average a person in a given year is expected to live. as death rates have fallen, life expectancy has increased

what was a reason for lower average life expectancy in 1900

the fact that so many infants and children did not survive beyond the early years of life

what does Harper predict will happen if the trend to greater longevity continues

that we will soon achieve ‘radical longevity’ with many people aged over 100.

how does region affect life expectancy

those living in Scotland and the North have a lower life expectancy than those in the South. According to Walker those who live in the poorest areas of England die on average seven years earlier than those in the richest areas.