Demography – 20 markers
Evaluate the significance of the reasons for changes in the death rate since 1900 (20 marks)
Improved nutrition:
Important in reduction of DR, - particularly for tuberculosis (TB).
Increases resistance to infection & survival chance of already infected.
Campaigns and health education to promote improved nutrition and advise public
Example: 5 a-day campaign.
Example: NHS concept of ‘change for life’ by eating healthy snacks with less sugar.
McKeown – it can be argued that improved nutrition has accounted for up to half of the
reduction in death rates.
However, McKeown doesn’t explain why females live longer than males (when they eat
less food).
Doesn’t explain why some deaths from infectious diseases rose at a time of improving
nutrition.
Medical improvements:
After 1950s, drastic improvements in knowledge and techniques.
Prior issues that couldn’t be solved now could = reduction.
Examples of advances: antibiotics, immunisation, blood transfusion etc.
Also, 1948 the NHS was set up – elaborate.
Clean Air Acts reduced air pollution, after the 1952 smog that killed 4000 people in 5
days.
However, Harper – the greatest reduction in the death rate is people stopping smoking
and obesity has replaced smoking as the new lifestyle epidemic.
For example, in 2012 one quarter of all UK adults were obese.
Also, cures for diseases such as cancer still haven’t been found.
Decline of dangerous manual occupations:
Decline in factory work, mining, etc.
Manual labour often involved danger and fatigue to the body.
Also, inhalation of fumes during work.
Greater public knowledge and stricter laws have reduced the amount of jobs like these
that still exist.
Less people putting themselves in harm’s way.
However, although these jobs have declined, they are still not inexistent in the UK.
Evaluate the significance of the reasons for changes in the death rate since 1900 (20 marks)
Improved nutrition:
Important in reduction of DR, - particularly for tuberculosis (TB).
Increases resistance to infection & survival chance of already infected.
Campaigns and health education to promote improved nutrition and advise public
Example: 5 a-day campaign.
Example: NHS concept of ‘change for life’ by eating healthy snacks with less sugar.
McKeown – it can be argued that improved nutrition has accounted for up to half of the
reduction in death rates.
However, McKeown doesn’t explain why females live longer than males (when they eat
less food).
Doesn’t explain why some deaths from infectious diseases rose at a time of improving
nutrition.
Medical improvements:
After 1950s, drastic improvements in knowledge and techniques.
Prior issues that couldn’t be solved now could = reduction.
Examples of advances: antibiotics, immunisation, blood transfusion etc.
Also, 1948 the NHS was set up – elaborate.
Clean Air Acts reduced air pollution, after the 1952 smog that killed 4000 people in 5
days.
However, Harper – the greatest reduction in the death rate is people stopping smoking
and obesity has replaced smoking as the new lifestyle epidemic.
For example, in 2012 one quarter of all UK adults were obese.
Also, cures for diseases such as cancer still haven’t been found.
Decline of dangerous manual occupations:
Decline in factory work, mining, etc.
Manual labour often involved danger and fatigue to the body.
Also, inhalation of fumes during work.
Greater public knowledge and stricter laws have reduced the amount of jobs like these
that still exist.
Less people putting themselves in harm’s way.
However, although these jobs have declined, they are still not inexistent in the UK.
