DEATH RATE LOWER

Taranaki Daily News, 3 September 1934, Page 7

DEATH RATE LOWER

HEART DISEASE AND CANCER

BOTH TOTALS INCREASING. STEADY DECLINE IN BIRTHS. Wellington, Aug. 30. A further fMI in the. death-rate is the most interesting feature of the annual report of the Health Department, which was laid on the table in the House of Representatives to-day. /' The figure for 1933, 7.98 per 1000 of population, is the lowest so far recorded in New Zealand. On the other hand, the report reveals a continuation of the steady decline in the birth-rate. The figure now stands at 16.59 per 1000. This, of course, is to some extent compensated by the exceptionally low percentage of deaths, and it is stated that New Zealand still ranks comparatively high among nations in regard to the natural increase of population. . The mean population of the Dominion for 1933, exclusive of Maoris, is estimated at 1,466,930, representing an increase over the previous yeaf” of 10,693, or a percentage increase of population of 0.73. During the year there were 24,234 births and 11,701 deaths,, the difference or natural increase being 12,633. The loss in migration accounted for the apparent disparity in the population increase. INFECTIOUS DISEASES. The very low general. death-rate, the report adds, is. very'gratifying. Freedom frim virulent attacks pf infectious diseases has' been the principal factor contributing to a reduction in the rate in the last five years. Some of these, such as diphtheria,, scarlet fever, measles, and whooping cough, have a cyclical? epidemic tendency at intervals of several years. During the past 50 years, although epidemics of these four diseases have occurred with regular frequency, there has been a remarkable reduction throughout that period in mortality. The death rate from tuberculosis reached the lowest level in 1933 that has, so far been recorded. The rate dropped from 4.22 per 10,000 population in 1932 to 4.16 per 10,000 in 1933. Important factors in lowering the incidence of tuberculosis have undoubtedly been the country’s healthy climate and favourable living conditions. The tendency towards a decline has been definitely accelerated by a direct campaign waged against the disease, including increased facilities for early and expert diagnosis, and more readily available sanatorium and hospital treatment. Popular education in personal and general hygiene had also played an important part. Children’s health camps were exerting a definite beneficial influence in the prevention of tuberculosis. MOTOR FATALITY VICTIMS. The rate from violence reached its peak in 1931. This was .found to be mainly attributable to motor-cart accidents. In the two' succeeding years, it has dropped considerably. Motor-Car mileage had been greatly reduced in the last two years. Outstanding exceptions to the otherwise improving table are the increasing death rates from.heart disease and cancer, particularly the former. The hearf disease rate shpws >a definite and con-' siderable increase in the five-year period. The cancer increase rate is a slight one. In both instances, the increasing length of life may be included as a contributing cause. Cancer, owing perhaps to its evasive and dread effects, has captured the public sentiment ir. many countries, and much thought and ffioney are applied to research into its cause and treatment. Heart disease, however, is nearly twice as fatal. Statistically it is a very prominent figure in the death rate picture, being the cause of 3098 deaths in a total of 11,701 last year. Heart disease, apoplexy and diseases of the arteries account jointly for 4026 deaths, or 34 per cent, of the'whole. This percentage appears to be increasing year by year and this is surely an important field for investigation by the department, medical practitioners, life insurance, companies and the general public.

In New Zealand, the average expectation of life at birth is now 62 years. Although this constitutes a world’s record, probably it can be lengthened and the magnitude of the figures for heart and arterial uiseases marks them out as worthy of special attention.