HEALTH OF THE PEOPLE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23884, 11 August 1939, Page 10

HEALTH OF THE PEOPLE

NATIONAL VITAL STATISTICS BIRTH RATE AGAIN SHOWS INCREASE RISE IN INFANT MORTALITY (From Our Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, Aug. 10. A marked rise in the infant mortality rate for 1938 is recorded in the annual report of the Department of Health, which was presented in the House of Representatives to-day by the Minister of Health (Mr P. Fraser). Last year the rate was 35.63 per 1000 live births as compared with a rate of 31.21 in 1937. The widespread epidemic of measles and the prevalence of diseases of the respiratory system associated with that disease is stated to have exerted a baneful influence on infant life during the past year. An investigation is at present being made into the rise in the infant mortality rate, which is higher than in any year since 1928. The report states that the death rate last year was 9.71 per 1000 of mean population (exclusive of Maoris), as compared with a rate of 9.08 in the preceding year. The actual deaths registered numbered 14,754, an increase of 1096 over the 1037 figures. Of this increase, 67 per cent, was accounted for by increases in deaths due to chest diseases (259), heart diseases (220), measles (159), and violence (96). The crude death rate, the report adds, reached its lowest point in 1933. Since that year it had shown a definite upward trend, a result which was to be expected with an ageing population. Births totalled 27,249, equivalent to a rate of 17.93 per 1000 of mean population. For the third year in succession the birth rate showed a gratifying increase over the previous year. The still-birth rate was 27.3. representing an improvement on the 1937 figure of 29.38 and the lowest figure recorded for this rate. The report states that the maternal mortality rate last year, including the deaths from septic abortion, was 4.07 per 1000 live births, as compared with 3.61 in 1937. The number of septic abortions was 30, as compared with 24 in 1937. When the deaths from septic abortions were deducted, the rate was 2.97.