CHANGE IN THE DEATH RATE

decline in death rate lifestyle

There is greater emphasis today on the foods that we eat and improved nutrition, such as the recommended daily intake of 5–a-day fruit and vegetables, as well as the push for healthy school meals. McKeown (1972) argues that improved nutrition accounted for up to half the reduction in death rates. Better nutrition increases resistance to infection and increased the survival of those who were infected

smoking ban in which was implemented in 2007

medical improvements

National Health Service (NHS) in 1948, meaning everyone, regardless of their income had access to free health care. Medical advances included the introduction of antibiotics, immunisation, blood transfusion, improved maternity services.

Public Health Measures

In the 20^th century there were a range or improvements to public health and the quality of people’s environment. These included:

• Improvements in housing, such as drier, better ventilated, less overcrowded accommodation, in addition to the building of social housing for low income families.

• Safer food and drink. Drinking water was made purer, milk became pasteurised and there was the introduction of laws surrounding the safety of food, such as ‘Consume by’ dates.

• Cleaner air. Clean Air Acts reduced air pollution which is a major cause of respiratory diseases.

Change to Working Conditions

‘economy of the muscle to an economy of the mind’ many manual jobs that were more dangerous have been lost. For example, the mining industry, the steelworks and the shipbuilding industry were all jobs that often resulted in injury and even death. 

Also, with the introduction of many Health and Safety laws,

1. Increase in the dependency ratio

The earnings, savings and taxes of the working population must support the dependent population. Both children and those over retirement age are economically dependent groups who need to be provided by those of working age, for example through taxation to pay for pensions and health care.