Mortality Rate (Hansard, 1 August 1980)

Mrs René eShort
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what evidence exists that the mortality rate increases when unemployment rises; what studies are being conducted into a possible link between unemployment and increases in illness and the mortality rate; where these studies have been carried out; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Patrick Jenkin
I have seen no research which provides conclusive evidence that the mortality rate increases when unemployment rises. There has been some work by Professor Brenner, much of it on United States data, to suggest that in the past a rise in unemployment may have been associated with a slowing in the long-term downward trend in mortality. These results need further testing.
My Department is conducting a cohort study of the unemployed including questions on the effects of unemployment on health. We are also aware of a number of studies being undertaken by external researchers and I shall certainly consider their reports carefully when available.
886W

§ Mrs. René e Short
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the death rate per thousand population in England and Wales for each year since 1920.

§ Mr. Patrick Jenkin
The figures are as follows:

DEATH RATES PER 1,000 POPULATION FOR ALL CAUSES OF DEATH IN ENGLAND AND WALES

Year Death rate Year Death rate

1920^* 12.4 1950 11.6

1921 12.1 1951 12.5

1922 12.7 1952 11.3

1923 11.6 1953 11.4

1924 12.2 1954 11.3

1925 12.1 1955 11.7

1926 11.6 1956 11.7

1927 12.3 1957 11.5

1928 11.7 1958 11.7

1929 13.4 1959 11.6

1930 11.4 1960 11.5

1931 12.3 1961 11.9

1932 12.0 1962 12.0

1933 12.3 1963 12.2

1934 11.8 1964 11.3

1935 11.7 1965 11.6

1936 12.1 1966 11.8

1937 12.4 1967 11.3

1938 11.6 1968 11.9

1939^* 12.1 1969 11.9

1940^* 14.4 1970 11.8

1941^* 13.5 1971 11.6

1942^* 12.3 1972 12.1

1943^* 13.0 1073 12.0

1944^* 12.7 1974 11.9

1945^* 12.6 1975 11.9

1946^* 12.0 1976 12.2

1947^* 12.3 1977 11.7

1948^* 11.0 1978 11.9

1949^* 11.8 1979 12.1†

^* For 1920 and from 3 September 1939 to 31 December 1949 for males, and from 1 June 1941 to 31 December 1949 for females, the death rates are based upon civilian populations only, but (as in other years), the number of deaths include those of non-civilians registered in England and Wales.

† Provisional.

DEATH RATES PER 1,000 POPULATION FOR ALL CAUSES OF DEATH IN ENGLAND AND WALES
Year	Death rate	Year	Death rate
1920^*	12.4	1950	11.6
1921	12.1	1951	12.5
1922	12.7	1952	11.3
1923	11.6	1953	11.4
1924	12.2	1954	11.3
1925	12.1	1955	11.7
1926	11.6	1956	11.7
1927	12.3	1957	11.5
1928	11.7	1958	11.7
1929	13.4	1959	11.6
1930	11.4	1960	11.5
1931	12.3	1961	11.9
1932	12.0	1962	12.0
1933	12.3	1963	12.2
1934	11.8	1964	11.3
1935	11.7	1965	11.6
1936	12.1	1966	11.8
1937	12.4	1967	11.3
1938	11.6	1968	11.9
1939^*	12.1	1969	11.9
1940^*	14.4	1970	11.8
1941^*	13.5	1971	11.6
1942^*	12.3	1972	12.1
1943^*	13.0	1073	12.0
1944^*	12.7	1974	11.9
1945^*	12.6	1975	11.9
1946^*	12.0	1976	12.2
1947^*	12.3	1977	11.7
1948^*	11.0	1978	11.9
1949^*	11.8	1979	12.1†
^* For 1920 and from 3 September 1939 to 31 December 1949 for males, and from 1 June 1941 to 31 December 1949 for females, the death rates are based upon civilian populations only, but (as in other years), the number of deaths include those of non-civilians registered in England and Wales.
† Provisional.