The Epidemiological Transition Flashcards
A theory of the epidemiology of population change
4 theories outlining the causes of population change.
1. Mortality is a fundamental factor for population change, sustained growth is not possible until plague, famine and war are controlled
2. LT shift in disease pattern: shift away from infection to degenerative diseases ->
3. Controlling mortality for women and children -> population growth as this demographic has had the most profound changes in health
4. Health & disease shifts coincide with demographic and socioeconomic transitions: increase in C/GDP ratio
Mortality decline by cause, rural/urban England & Wales 1851-1910
Authors deconstruct the rise in life expectancy by disease and assign weights to the causes of the declines.
- Life expectancy during this period rose by 9.05 years: two main causes were from tuberculosis, waterborne diseases and scarlet fever
- 60% of the mortality decline was from infrastructure investments measured by outstanding debts in urban areas. Urban areas also experienced the biggest decline in absolute mortality. However could be that urban areas demand more investment - OVB.
