The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-02-08
Pennsylvania Mortal
ity 14.6 Per 1000
According to Govern
ment Figures
AVERAGE AGE AT
DEATH WAS 1913
Nearly rs Per Cent. of All Deaths
Were of Infants Under Year and
More Than 2J Per Cent. Children
Under 3 Years


nual report ON mortality in the United
States, relating to the calendar year
1918, which is soon to be issuei by M-
rector Harris, of the Bureau of the
Census, of the Department of Com
merce, will show a death rate of 14.1
per 1000 estimated population in the
registration area of the United States
a slight increase as compared with the
rate for 1912. The report was out
lined by DR.. Cressy L. Wilbur, formerly
connected with the division of vital
statistics, Bureau of the Census, and
was prepared under the direction of Mr..
Richard c. Lappin, of that division.
In May, 1914, the Census Bureau
issued preliminary statement relating
to mortality in 1913, but the detailed
report contains many features of in
terest not included in the preliminary
announcement.
Total Deaths in Registration Area
The total number of deaths (exclu-
sive of stillbirths) in the registration
area, which now contains about two.
thirds of the population of the United
States, was S90,S4S. The lowest rate
ever shown in the bureau s reports was
that for 1912, which was 1873 per l.
600. There has been marked, though
not continuous. decline in the death
rate since 1880, when it was 19.S per
1000 based on the deaths among II
per cent of the eountry's population.
The registration area of the United
States, as constituted for the wear,
1913, consists of "a states (in one of
which. North Carolina, the registration
is restricted to municipalities which
had 1000 population or over in 1900(,
the District of Columbia, ami IL cities
in nonregistration states. The states
and cities making up this area are
those whose registration of deaths has
been accepted by the Bureau of the
Census as being fairly complete (at
least 90 per cent. of the total number
of deaths), and from which transcripts
of the death certificates recorded un-
der the state laws or municipal ordi-
nances were received by the Bureau of
the Census.
The estimated population of the reg
istration area in 1913 was 6S,29S.71S.
1t has grown from six-tenths of l per
cent. of the total land area of the
United States in 1880 TO 3S.6 per
cent. in 1918, and the proportion of
the population living in it has increased
from II per cent. in 1880 to 65.1 per
cent. in 1918.
Comparison With Foreign Countries
Comparative figures for foreign
countries are not available for 1913,
but in 1912 the only important coun-
tries or provinces having lower death
rates than the United States were Nor
way (13.4 per 1,000), England and
Wales (1S.S), Denmark (1S), the
Province of Ontario (12.G, Holland
(12.3l, Australia (11.2), and New
Zealand (S.9).
Death Rates of States
Following are the death rates per
1000 population in 1913 for the states
included within the registration area:
14.5; Colorado, lis: Con.
necticut. 10; Indiana, 1873; Kentucky.
1873: Maine, 15.S; Maryland. 1872:
Massachusetts, Is; Michigan. 1879;
Minnesota, 10.4; Missouri. 12.5: Mon.
tana, IL; New Hampshire, III: New
jersey, l 4.S; New York, 15 North Car
ohna Figures relate only to municipah.
ties having a population of 1000 or
over in 1900, 16.S; Ohio, 1873; Penn.
sylvania, 14.6; Rhode Island, 10; Utah,
IL; Vermont, 15.S; Virginia, 1879;
W ashington, So; Wisconsin. 11.5.
The lowest death rate shown by anv
registration state was that for Wash
ington (S.5 per 1,0OO), while New
Hampshire rate (17.1) was the high
est The fact that the average age of
S population is much low.
er than that of New HAMPSHIRE 5
doubtless constitutes the chief reason
for this difference; and like explana
tion holds good in many similar eases
Death Rates for Cities
Following are the death rates per l.
600 population in 1913 for the so reg
cities with populations of
100000 or over in 1910. Separate ig.
ures for white and colored persons are
given in parentheseas for cities in
which the colored population constitut-
ed 10 per cent. or more of the total in
1910.
Observation-Disclosures, ia (white.
1913; eolored, 25.2).
California-Los Angeles, Is; Oak
land, 1875; San Francisco, 15.9.
Colorado-Denver, 1871.
Connecticut-Bridgeport, 14.9; New
Haven, 15.9.
District of Columbia-Washington
1913 (white, 14.4; colored. PAD.
Georgia-Atlanta, ia (white, 13.5;
25.2).
Ilhnois-Chicago, 15.1.
Indiana-Indianapolis, 15.7.
Kentucky-Louisville, 1872 (white,
14.3; colored, 24.S).
LouiSiana-New Orleans, 1913
(white, 1876; colored, 31.9.
Maryland-Baltimore, 1875 (white,
1872: eolored. 31).
Massachusetts-Boston, 1874; Cam