Development of statistics of causes of death

Statistics of causes of death grew out of the need for information concerning epidemic diseases which from time to time have taken heavy tolls of the population. These data have proved invaluable for identifying the locale and measuring the severity of epidemics, for indicating the effectiveness of attempts to prevent the spread of epidemic diseases and for recording progress in the conquest of communicable disease in general. They have been important guide-posts in the development of modern programmes of public health and sanitation. They are basic to any real understanding of mortality trends and prospects.

Related Subject(s): Population and Demography