Secular Change of the Australian All-Cause Mortality, 1907-1998

Abstract

The objective of this study was to identify secular change in Australian all-cause mortality over the period 1907-1998. The authors found that there was a decreasing trend in all-cause mortality, with five phases, over the study period. Phase I: 1907 to 1916, with relatively stable, but high, mortality rates. Phase II: 1917 to 1929, with great variations. Phase III: 1930 to 1943, a more stable period with lower mortality. Phase IV: 1944 to 1970, a slightly decreasing trend, with stagnation over the period 1958-69. Phase V: 1971 to 1998, with continuous decline. The mortality trends for major causes of death including infectious diseases, respiratory diseases, circulatory diseases, cancers, and injury are discussed. Possible reasons for the secular changes are explored.