Bos, Lisa (2024) Infectious Diseases and Life Expectancy: Regional Trends in the Netherlands, 1890-1920. Master thesis.
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Abstract
Since the 1870s, life expectancies began to rise in the Netherlands primarily due to a decrease in mortality from infectious diseases. Contributing factors behind this decrease are improvements in hygiene, nutrition, and public health policies. This research investigates to what extent this trend of a decrease in infectious diseases caused regional divergence or convergence between 20 municipalities in the Netherlands from 1890 to 1920. Period life tables were created to calculate the life expectancy at birth for each municipality and the Netherlands. The findings indicate convergence among the 20 municipalities between 1890 and 1920. Divergence likely already occurred between 1870-1890. Wider geographical areas do not explain differences between municipalities as the local economy and social history are important in determining life expectancy. The cases of the outliers ‘s Hertogenbosch and Tilburg are explicitly reviewed. The municipalities are placed in four trajectories, each reflecting different phases of the epidemiological transition model. The population size and growth rate of the municipalities may have determined life expectancy to some extent. The direction and size of the impact of infectious diseases on the difference in life expectancy differ among municipalities, with an overall decline in their influence between 1890 and 1920. Standardizing the mortality rate to the national average results in more absolute differences between municipalities, yet a trend of convergence is still observed from 1890 to 1920. Further research should test which characteristics of municipalities influenced the life expectancy at birth, and perform a more zoomed-in approach.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Master) |
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| Degree programme: | Population Studies |
| Supervisor: | Remund, A.P.P. |
| Date Deposited: | 22 Jul 2024 09:56 |
| Last Modified: | 22 Jul 2024 09:56 |
| URI: | https://frw.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/4645 |
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