PUBLIC HEALTH

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3686, 3 September 1927, Page 1

PUBLIC HEALTH

DOMINION DEATH RATE

LOWEST IN THE WORLD.

The annual report of the Direc-tor-General of Health (Dr. T. H. A. Valintine) states tha't the Dominion can congratulate itself on the fact that the death-rate and the infan-tile-mortality rate in New Zealand are the lowest in the world; that the incidence of en'terie 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 than he would have had in any other country. “At the same time,” continues the report, “we, as other countries, are even confronted with formidable problems of preventive medicine. More knowledjge of the Vaws of health and the nature of disease is required and such knowledge must be passed on to the public; and 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 health results in much invalidity and many premature deaths. Credit is due to voluntary organisations for splendid work in creating public interest in these matters.” In certain directions our vital statistics for the past year may be Considered satisfactory. JChe crude (actual) death-role, 8.74 per 1000 of mean population, is stEl comparatively low, though it shows a slight increase over the rate of 8.29 for the previous year. The increase was due principally to the 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-mortal-ity rate was 39.76 per 1000 live births, in comparison with 39.9 for 1925. It is encouraging to note that the record low infantile-mor-tality figure of-1926 had been produced by a reduction in the deaths during the earlier age periods of life. It is hoped that this foreshadows a further reduction in this rate. Probably the intensive antenatal work is beginning to make itself felt. The birth-rate of 21,05 per 1000 of mean population is the lowest on record, and the rate of still-births, 31.1 per 1000 live births, shows an inqrease. : The falling' birth-rate is a matter of considerable concern. Of the notifiable diseases, scarlet fever, diphtheria, and pneumonic influenza showed an increased inci- 1 fienee, and particularly so pneumonic influenza, with a notification rate of 4.73 per 10,000 mean population, in comparison with 0.52 for 1925. From tuberculosis the deathx'ate per 10,000 mean population was 5.37. “As with South Africa and Australia, we have a very much lower death-rate than other countries,” continues the report. “Although the death-rate does not show a definite tendency to increase, the fight against this scourge must be more vigorously continued. Consideration is being given to the treatment of tuberculosis by the hospital boards, and the report of their association on this disease is awaited with interest.”