%T Infectious Diseases and Life Expectancy: Regional Trends in the Netherlands, 1890-1920.
%X 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.
%A Lisa Bos
%L theses_frw4645
%D 2024