Information about the number and causes of deaths is available for the UK from the 19th century onwards. The registration of a death is compulsory and a doctor is required to certify the death. Death registration data is collected and analysed and the death statistics are published annually.
The information recorded on death certificates is:
- Date and place of death
- Name of deceased
- Sae of deceased
- Place of birth
- Date of birth
- Occupation
- Usual address (edited by S. Pike and D. Forster 1997)
WHAT IS A MORBIDITY RATE?
Morbidity statistics are concerned with the amount and types of illness that occur in the community. Most routinely collected morbidity data, suffer from serious shortcomings. The data is very largely concerned with the activity of various services rather than monitoring their effectiveness or the results of their activities.
The main routinely available morbidity statistics are:
- Statutory notifications of infectious diseases
- Notification of episodes of sexually transmitted diseases
- Notification of prescribed and other industrial disease and accidents
- Notification of congenital malformations
- Registration of handicapped persons
- Cancer registration. (edited by S. Pike and D. Forster 1997)
As the list indicates the data is limited so is highly dependant on accurate identification and notification by medical practitioners.
The statistics are all collected through these two methods, mortality rates and morbidity rates. Death certificates and of the health practitioners, the identification and notification of disease. These reports are then published annually for all to see.
These statistics are of a high significance to health professionals. With the statistics you can find out through looking at them any rising figures, therefore a rising problem that is then needed to tackle. It also gives the health professional information such as the age group and gender of the higher figure so they know that that particular group needs targeting and then can give appropriate help and care for that main area of concern.
Take the suicide rate in Middlesbrough. In 1993-1994 there were 102 cases in which men died and 62 in which were female. In 1999-2001 the male rate had decreased to 119 but the female rose to 95. With this in mind I decided that I would identify and tackle the female suicide rate.
Looking at the statistics, in 1993/1994 62 women committed suicide, 1997 it was 137, 1998/2000 was 156 and in 1999/2001 eventually dropped to 95.
Although there was an eventual drop, the initial rise nearly trebled so I feel this is a significant trend to investigate.
The main causes of this issue I feel are:
- Rape
- Infertility
- Debt
- Social issues
- Depression
- Religion/beliefs
- Loss of loved one
- Termination of pregnancy
- Illness
- Nervous breakdown
I would promote health and the methods I would use would be early intervention- advice the person to see their GP etc, awareness and looking for significant signs, i.e. self harming and recognition of volunteer groups like the Samaritans.
Taboo subjects would also be addressed in females by campaigns for PMT, OCD, and PND. Weekly walk in sessions would be available of all subjects affected with the appropriate person there for support, like councillors; fertility specialists and financial guidance if in debt.
To evaluate that the service has been effective I would check the attendance of the weekly walk in sessions, ask health professionals if awareness has improved, by more of an increase of people seeking medical help, statistical checks of the mortality rate, asking the person in question about how they feel etc and also checking that persons appearance etc, if they start to improve on how they look by wearing makeup and generally making an effort in the way they look.
BIPLIOGRAPHY
Barker and Rose 1984 HEALTH PROMOTION.
DISCIPLINES,
DIVERSITY AND
DEVELOPMENTS.
Second edition edited
By R. Bunton and
G macdonald. Published
By Routledge, London
1992.
Edited by
S. Pike and D Forster HEALTH PROMOTION
1997 FOR ALL . Published by
Longman Singapore
Publishers limited.
WEBSITES
http://www.elissetche.org/dico/M.htm
