LOWEST ON RECORD

Hokitika Guardian, 2 September 1927, Page 4

LOWEST ON RECORD

DOMINION BIRTH RATE

WELLINGTON, August 31

In certain directions the vital statistics for the past year may be considered satisfactory, says the DirectorGeneral 1 of Health in his annual report, tabled in the House to-day. The crude (actual) death rate, 8.74 per 1000 of mean population, is still comparatively low, though it shows a slight increase over the rato of 8.£9 for the previous year. Tbo increase was due principally to epidemics of whooping cough and influenza. However, this rate is in line with the remarkable succession of low rates established in recent years. The infantile mortality rate was 39.70 per 1000 live births, in comparision with 39.9 for 1925. It is encouraging to note that tne record low infantile mortality figure of 1920 has been produced by a reduction in deaths during the earlier age periods of life. It is honed that this foreshadows a further reduction in this rate. Probably intensive ante-na-tal work is beginning to make itself felt.

Tlie birth rate of 21.05 per 1000 of mean population is the lowest on record, and tbo rate of still births, 31.1 per 1000 live birth, shows an increase. The falling birth rate is a matter of considerable concern. The achievement of such a phenomenally low infant death rate as that recorded stands as a record for New Zealand, and ai'so for tlie world. Of notifiable diseases, scarlet fever diphtheria, and pneumonic influenza showed an increased incidence and particularly pneumonic influenza, with a notification rate of 4.73 per 10.000 mean population, in comparision with 0.52 for 1925.

“Tile Dominion can congratulate itself on the fact that the death rate, in infantile mortality rate in New Zealand are the lowest in the world, that the incidence of enteric fever has been reduced to a phenomenal degree, that the death rate from tuberculosis is second or third lowest in the world, and that the New Zealand infant at birth has an expectation of life greater that he would have in any other country,” states the report. “At the same time, we as other countries, nro ever confronted with the formidable problems of preventive medicine. More knowledge of the laws of health and the nature of disease is required and such knowledge must he passed on to the public. The Department is endeavouring to meet the situation by actively encouraging research and the education of the public in health matters. Personal disregard of the laws of liealth result in much invalidity and may premature deaths.