Trends in mortality rates for infectious and parasitic diseases in Australia: 1907-1997

To characterize long-term mortality trends for infectious and parasitic diseases in Australia during the twentieth century, explore influencing factors and provide suggestions to health policy-makers.

A descriptive study was conducted. Deaths due to communicable diseases from 1907 to 1997 were tallied, according to the International Classification of Diseases version 9 (ICD-9). Trends in infectious disease mortality in overall population and in the 0-4 years age group were examined and standardized by sex. Death rates were also studied for: (i) diarrhoea/enteritis, (ii) pneumonia and all respiratory diseases and (iii) tuberculosis.

There has been a substantial decline in -mortality from communicable diseases over the study period. The death rate dropped from 258.9 per 100,000 population in 1907 to 7.2 per 100,000 population in 1997. Six phases of the decline were observed.

A combination of improved living conditions and access to readily available treatments over the twentieth century played an important role in the reduction of infectious disease mortality in Australia.