Mot bättre hälsa Dödlighet och hälsoarbete i Linköping 1860-1894

Abstract: The decline in mortality was the most important cause of the great increase in population in Sweden in the 19th century. Especially important was the part played by the decline in infant mortality and mortality among small children. The purpose of this study has been to investigate on the basis of a local example, Linköping during the period 1860-94, the changes in morbidity and mortality in different population groups, and to analyse what factors played a significant role in bringing about the changes. The study is not only epidemiological. It also deals with new technology, new ideas and different actors. The focus is on three arenas: the societal level, the environmental level and the individual level. By the societal level is meant the central arena and the decisions that were taken there. The environmental level contains the study of local public health and a reconstruction of how water and drainage progressed and what properties it came to year by year. The individual level involves the study of a number of variables which the individuals themselves can have influenced in different degrees.