HEALTH REPORT

Hokitika Guardian, 30 July 1926, Page 3

HEALTH REPORT

MATERNAL MORTALITY

WELLINGTON, July 28. “ a steady and progressive development has been maintained in the cause of preventive medicine during the period,” states the Director-General of Health in his annual report. “It can fie claimed that rarely in the history of the Department has such impetus been given to reforms towards tins end. In a similar degree the example set has resulted in many encouraging evidences of sanitary progress and enlightenment among those governing authorities and associations charged with the conservation of the public health. With the gradual lowering of the infantile and maternal mortality and infectious disease rates and unproved sanitation and housing we should, under normal conditions, he able to retain in the future that unique standard of health which has in recent distinguished the population of this country.

“Eleven thousand and twenty-six deaths were recorded during the vein. The Statistics Office gave the crude death rate for the year as 8.29 per 1000 of the mean population, and the international standardised death rate as 8.6”. The crude death rate was ecpial to that of the previous year, the lowest on record. The international standardised rate also showed a further decline Both these rates in all probability are lower than those of any other civilised country. The infant mortality rate was 39.96 per 1000 births. The tuberculosis death rate was 6 15 per 1000 of the population, against 5.67 for 1924. Scarlet fever, diphtheria, pneumonic influenza and puerperal fever all show a satisfactory decline, while there was experienced a lower incidence in enteric fever, the disease is now practically confined to the native population. ‘The birth-rate of 21.17 per 1000 of the mean population is the lowest on record, and the rate of stillbirths 40.6 per 1000 live births, shows a slight increase. The position in regard to the low birth-rate is far from consolatory, and there is an indication for investigation as to its causes in tins country. The maternal mortality rate (4.60 per 1000 births) reveals a gratfying fall. On the other hand, the mortality of infants under one month, which shows an extraordinary resistance to administrative methods in this and other countries, has not manifested any improvement. It is doubtful if very much can be effected in this respect. No .satisfactory explanation has been found for this resistance, hut no doubt caentiling that counteracts careless living on the part of expectant mothers, and reduces social diseases, will also reduce infantile mortality during this period. “Tuberculosis continues to he one of the formidable problems. However, the continuation of the downward trend in the incidence and death rate . for this disease is extremely gratifying. The New Zealand rate compares more than favourably with that of the other countries ol the world. “Premature birth and congenital debility accounted for more than half of the deaths of infants under one month of age. * “New Zealand’s comparatively high maternal mortality rate lias been a matter of special concern to the Department since 1922. The number of deaths from puerperal causes and the mte of such deaths per 1000 births for ipoi-5 period is as follows: Nnmlier of Per 1000 Deaths Births. 1922 449 6.14 1923 143 5.11 jg 24 140 5.00 1925 131 4.65 “There has been a gratifying reduction in this death rate during the year, while the vital statistics generally of New Zealand compare more than favourably with those of other countries.

This cannot he said of her maternal mortality rate. Tire death rate of rural women is considerably higher than that of urban women as regards puerperal causes. Tvventv-two deaths occurred under anaesthetics in comparison. with twenty-four for the previous year.”