Sociology - Life Expectancy and Infant Mortality

Sociology - Life Expectancy and Infant Mortality

1. Life Expectancy

   • 5th Century - 33 (men) and 27 (women)
     • 1901 - 45.5 (men) and 49 (women)
   • Average number of years newborns are expected to live
   • Increased life expectancy linked to:
     • Welfare State Provisions
       • After WWII
       • State looks after people's health and welfare
       • Eg. Free healthcare - Benefits
     • Diet and Nutrition
       • Over the last 30 years - Changes in diet
       • Media shows eating healthier as better
       • Household purchases fruit increased
         • 77% between 1974 and 2005/6
     • Public health and medicine
       • 19th/ 20th Century - Increase life expectancy after goverment improvements in public health services
       • 1945: Controlling major infections
         • Eg. Vaccinating children
       • Advances in medicine and surgery
       • Services: Clean water, Drainage systems - prevents waterborne diseases

2. Infant Mortality

   • 1930 - 60.0 infant deaths per 1000 live births
     • 2006 - 5.0 infant deaths per 1000 live births
   • Number of infant deaths per 1000 live births per year
   • Recent Improvements
     • During pregnancy - Antenatal Care
     • After childbirth - Post-natal Care
   • Introduction to midwifery (early 20th century) - More babies delivered by qualified midwifes