TO COMBAT LOW BIRTH RATE

Hokitika Guardian, 2 September 1929, Page 8

TO COMBAT LOW BIRTH RATE

PREVENT DISEASE. ADVICE IN HEALTH REPORT. WELLINGTON, August 29. Now Zealand lias the lowest death rate in the world, but the annual report of the Health Department, in repeating this testimonial to the Dominion’s excellent conditions, tempers its satisfaction by pointing out that the death rate reduction is Jar less rapid than that in the birth rate. Causes of deatii are analysed in detail, and the conclusion is that there are prospects of a considerable reduction in the number of deaths,, providing the efforts of the central and local governing authorities, including Hospital Boards, the medical and nursing professions and the general public are united, and also that they are well directed. Concentration upon further reduction of the already low infant death rate, the still-birth rate or the maternal deaths (134), will reduce deaths under these three headings, but the numbers are such that by this means no great reduction can he made in the general death rate. Pregnancy and birth are events 'dangerous to both mother and child, and our intended efforts to reduce this clanger cannot affect the general death rate of any considerable degree,” states the report. “It is obvious that we must widen our preventive effort to include persons of both sexes and all ages. It is particularly necessary to correct bad living habits, to treat disease in the early stages, and, wherever possible, prevent the spread of any infectious illness. A definite alliance rather than a ‘cordiale entente’ with the army of general medical practioners is advisable; and it is definitely engeged in the prevention of disease.

“The ideal to strive for is that local authorities and their medical officers of health should be aiding medical practitioners in clisease prevention by measures intended to improve the environment of the general public. For the past five years, graduates from the Otago Medical School have received special training in preventive medicine. i

“National insurance for sickness and invalidity,” adds the Director-General of Health,"'‘Us one-method already in operation in' England .and throughout Europe and'Asia of partnership with the general medicine practioner for the purpose of disease prevention, and I recommend advocacy of its adoption by New Zealand to your favourable consideration.”

Two-thirds of 1811 deaths last year were due to six causes. Those at the head of the list are: —Heart disease (all fprms),' 2315; cancer, 1374; chest diseases, 1027; violence, 956, tuberculosis (all forms), 699; apoplexy or oerebral haemorrhage, 643. The report calls attention to the fact that with some of the above causes, especially tuberculosis, common chest diseases, some: forms of heart disease and apoplexy, habits of life and environment are important factors. Correction of faulty habits were applicable, and improvement of the environment of an unfortunate or careless minority of the New Zealand public, would reduce these deaths, and numbers are such as to offer a margin,of gain worth the effort. It is only by the active co-operation of the public, the local authorities, the medical and nursing professions and the Department of Healh in definite disease prevention in the home, school and workplace environment of the people that a great reduction in our death rate will be made. BIRTH RATE CONTINUES TO GO D 0u r N. Despite increased population, there was a decline of 592 in the total births in 1927, and last year’s drop was 681. Infant deaths declined by ninety-six. The Director-General concludes this survey with an advococy of early marriage. “Quite a good way of increasing popiilation is the direct method. Early marriage induces large families, If by more and earlier marriages the birth rate can be increased, the infant death rate will tend automatically to rise, but there will be a considerable net again in population, he says.,