Related Experiment Videos
Explaining the modern mortality decline: what can we learn from sea voyages
1Department of History, The Flinders University of South Australia, Adelaide.
Summary
Mortality at sea for non-slave voyages significantly decreased in the 19th century, but infant maritime deaths remained high. This study analyzes maritime mortality trends and their connection to land-based mortality declines.
Area of Science:
- Historical demography
- Maritime history
- Public health
Background:
- Scholarly efforts over two decades have quantified maritime mortality across diverse seaborne populations.
- Data encompasses over 13,000 voyages from 1497 to World War I, covering various demographic groups and destinations.
Observation:
- Slave voyage death rates remained constant over time.
- Non-slave voyage death rates for adults and older children declined sharply in the early-to-mid 19th century.
- Infant maritime mortality, though declining, remained substantially higher than land-based infant mortality.
Findings:
- A significant decline in maritime mortality for adults and children preceded the modern mortality decline on land.
- Infant maritime mortality reduction lagged behind that of adults and children, mirroring challenges in reducing land-based infant mortality.
Implications:
- Maritime mortality trends offer insights into the drivers of the modern mortality decline on land.
- Understanding historical maritime health challenges can inform contemporary public health strategies.
- The persistent high rate of infant maritime mortality highlights specific vulnerabilities and difficulties in intervention.